IN JUNE 2023, I had the pleasure of returning to Paris to attend Printemps Asiatique (Asia Week in Paris). It was a wonderful event with many collectors, curators and art enthusiasts from all over the world in attendance. I was delighted to have an enjoyable introductory meeting with Dr Yannick Lintz, President of the Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts, Paris. She has had a truly distinguished career and is a Knight of the French Order of Merit and the Legion of Honour, as well as an Officer of Arts and Letters. I was extremely impressed with Yannick’s vision and development plans for the Guimet Museum, and I wish the museum and Yannick great success.
This year, to celebrate sixty years of cultural ties between France and China, I am happy to present a special Arts of Asia edition on the Guimet Museum’s major Asian art collections from China, Japan, India, Cambodia and Vietnam. This exceptional Summer 2024 issue features six fascinating articles written by distinguished curators and scholars at the museum. I would like to thank them all for their respective contributions and I am confident that their excellent articles will be highly appreciated by our knowledgeable readers.
In addition, I would like to highlight the article by Professor Peter Lam on “Unusual Chinese Monochromes from the Zhuyuetang Collection”, probably the most comprehensive private collection of Chinese monochromes in the world. The collection, assembled by Richard Kan, was exhibited in 2005 at the Art Museum, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and in 2008 at Fondation Baur in Geneva. A new exhibition at the Guimet Museum will take place from June to September 2024. I also wish to alert readers that in conjunction with the exhibition, a special “Conference on Chinese Monochromes” will be held in the Auditorium Jean-François Jarrige at the Guimet Museum on Wednesday June 12th, 2024 (9 am to 5 pm). Participating speakers include Yannick Lintz, Monique Crick, Regina Krahl, Lu Minghua, Peter Lam, Claire Déléry, Teresa Canepa, Richard Kan and Henry Howard-Sneyd. These leading experts and specialists will explore the history, evolution and secrets of monochrome ceramics in China spanning over 3000 years (simultaneous translation will be arranged). Entrance to this unique event is free while places are available although reservations are recommended through the Guimet Museum’s online ticket office.
I am very much looking forward to the opening of this exhibition, as well as attending the exciting events organised for the 7th edition of Printemps Asiatique from June 6th to 13th, 2024. Among the gallery shows, museum exhibitions and auctions, I am particularly eager to revisit The Pagoda, the former gallery of C.T. Loo (1880–1957), the legendary antiques dealer, in the 8th district of Paris. This amazing structure will once again host several local and international dealers. Illustrated on the front cover of this issue is a stunning bronze sculpture of Shiva Nataraja, Lord of Dance, a gift from C.T. Loo to the Guimet Museum in 1928.
On March 27th, 2024, it was an honour to attend an exclusive event hosted by LGT Private Banking Asia Pacific featuring a special viewing of Gustav Klimt’s masterpiece, The Portrait of Fräulein Lieser (1917). This remarkable artwork, hidden for nearly a century, marks one of Klimt’s final creations and was only recently rediscovered, having not been seen in public since 1925. LGT is pleased to partner with the distinguished im Kinsky auction house to present this iconic painting on an international tour, culminating in an auction on April 24th. It was a privilege to meet H.S.H. Prince Maximilian of Liechtenstein and Dr Johann Kräftner, former Director of the Liechtenstein Princely Collections. They provided interesting insights into the painting during a brief presentation followed by a luncheon at The Peninsula Hong Kong.
In 2023, the Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA) received a generous donation from Josephine Sin, comprising 490 sets of Chinese snuff bottles from the Fuyun Xuan Collection. The donation encompasses a wide array of snuff bottles, formerly collected by emperors, prominent officials and literati, that vary in material, design and artisanship, making it the most extensive and comprehensive donation of its kind ever received by a museum in Hong Kong. Established by the late Christopher Sin, a renowned local collector, the Fuyun Xuan Collection is recognised as one of the most important private collections of snuff bottles globally.
Christopher and Josephine Sin were close friends of my parents, and I also knew them both well. We collaborated on museum exhibitions in Hong Kong and enjoyed going to local and international art auctions, fairs and conventions. I was, therefore, delighted to attend the official donation ceremony and exhibition opening of “Art of Gifting: The Fuyun Xuan Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles” on April 11th, 2024. Officiating guests included Vincent Liu, Director of Leisure and Cultural Services; Nicholas Sin, Christopher and Josephine’s son; Professor Douglas So, Chairman of the Museum Advisory Committee; and Dr Maria Mok, Museum Director of the HKMoA. Christopher and Josephine have entrusted the HKMoA with their snuff bottle collection, a most generous donation to the people of Hong Kong, that will help to safeguard and promote this unique form of Chinese art.
I would also here like to congratulate Dr Maria Mok and Bernadette Mok, Curator of Chinese Antiquities, for the exceptionally beautiful exhibition that they and their team have created, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship that these rare snuff bottles epitomise. With the theme of gifting, the exhibition invites visitors to step into the unique, kaleidoscopic world of these precious artefacts. This splendid exhibition runs from April 12th at the Chinese Antiquities Gallery on the third floor of the HKMoA.
The International Antiques Fair (IAF) in 2023 was very well received and the organisers now look forward to welcoming art lovers to the 14th edition of IAF. This world-class event will again be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 24th to 28th, 2024. The annual art extravaganza brings together esteemed dealers from Asia, Europe and America, presenting thousands of Chinese artistic treasures, as well as exquisite antiques from other Asian regions and Western countries. The artworks on show will include porcelains, jades, silverware and lacquerware, classical furniture, sculpture and much more, providing visitors the opportunity to appreciate these precious cultural relics in person.
Alongside a robust roster of local and international exhibitors, this year’s IAF hopes to raise the bar with additional events, including antique appraisals, guided tours and lectures. The fair is important for Hong Kong, helping to cement the city’s leading position in the international art market. It is also a good opportunity to meet old friends and forge new relationships. As usual, I will be attending IAF and the auctions being held around the same time, as I always want to support art events in my hometown.
I look forward to meeting Arts of Asia readers in the coming months and I also take this opportunity to wish everyone a relaxing and enjoyable summer.
PRINTEMPS ASIATIQUE HIGHLIGHTS
June 6th–13th, 2024
Paris will attract Asian art enthusiasts from all over the world for the 7th edition of Printemps Asiatique (Asia Week in Paris). This major international event will be a celebration of the richness of Asian art as France and China celebrate sixty years of cultural ties.
Printemps Asiatique brings together antique and contemporary Asian art galleries and international cultural institutions around a shared calendar of exhibitions, auctions, guided tours and lectures. This week-long celebration of the richness and diversity of Asian art gives art lovers and collectors the opportunity to discover major works available in galleries and auction houses, as well as museum treasures.
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