Features

More than 300 auctioneers outside China and Hong Kong conduct regular sales of Asian art – many of them in the market centres of France, the US, Germany and the UK. Here we present a selection of forthcoming events from around the world.

This 17th century Indian painting attributed to one of the finest artists of the Mughal court was recently discovered in a private collection in Suffolk. Sworders will offer it for sale in their December 5 Country House Sale with an estimate of £10,000-15,000.

Different regions of the world conduct their main Asian art series at different times of the year. Here ATG focuses on some of the main events on the calendar.

Every work of art speaks about the culture from which it came, the artisans who made it or the history of collecting and artistic appreciation. Rather than huge commercial worth or ostentation, a strong narrative is the defining feature of so much Asian art.

Lazarus Halstead, head of Asian art at Chiswick Auctions, describes this 33ft (10m) long handscroll as “both a work of art and an historical document”.

They have big, wise shoes to fill but Asian art gallery managers of a younger vintage are determined to make their mark, as ATG finds out...

Welcome to Antiques Trade Gazette’s annual barometer of Asian art, in which we read the runes of this most fascinating of markets.

A long tradition of trade between China and Java culminated with the establishment of a trading colony in 1297, early in the Majapahit period (1292-1500).

As London gears up for the 20th Asian Art in London festival in November, ATG talks to its founders and participants on evolving the event to stay relevant and distinct in a crowded calendar

A monumental pair of limestone hands clutching a reliquary date to the Northern Qi period (550-557AD).

ATG speaks to two exhibitors at 'Asian Art in London' - Jacqueline Simcox who has participated at the event since 1998 and Red Finer of Peter Finer Fine Antique Arms and Armour who joined in 2016.

This Japanese bronze okimono of turtles – symbolic of longevity and good luck – belonged to the empress Shōken (1849-1914), the consort of the emperor Meiji who ruled Japan from 1868-1912.

The collection of Japanese and Chinese works of art at Eaton Neston near Towcester was formed largely by Thomas George Fermor-Hesketh (1849-1924).

With the spread of religion and the development of the Silk Road during the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD), Chinese works of art began to develop widely in terms of geography and form.

The market for Asian art shifts from season to season, with the supply of blue-chip wares a constant issue. Here we look at current trends, including the emergence of a more selective buyer, and predict the fortunes of the market’s core collecting areas.

The 'Asian Art in London' event celebrates its 20th anniversary on November 2-11.

The Qianlong period (1736-95) porcelain plate made for export c.1740-60 is painted in famille rose enamels and en grisaille with a half-length portrait of St Simon.

While care has been taken in compiling this calendar, we strongly advise that you check with the saleroom concerned before travelling any distance in case of cancellations or postponements.

In a market subject to the vagaries of collecting fashion, success is hard-earned for America’s leading regional salerooms.

ATG's selection of auction highlights coming up around the US, written by Katherine Boyle.