Asian Art

“The symbolism of Chinese and Vietnamese objects, the precision of Japanese work and the many beauties of South-East Asia make my speciality a daily journey through history and cultures… » 

The Asian art market

The number of wealthy Chinese collectors has increased sharply in recent years as China has become the world’s leading economic power. The Asian art market has become one of the most dynamic in the world, both for ancient and contemporary art. France is a major market for Asian art sales, and the buyers are mainly Asian. They do not hesitate to bid widely and confidently in our auctions, which have sold nearly 70% of their lots and set many records. From China to Vietnam, objects imbued with ancestral traditions or imperial origins won high bids, such as a Famille Rose porcelain and enamel vase sold for €175,500, blue-white porcelain plates in the Wang Bu style sold for €193,650 and a Qianlong-era jade vase sold for €667,120.

Created in 2010, the Asian Art Department organises five auctions per year. Our sales have attracted numerous collectors from China, Japan, South-East Asia and Vietnam.

Our specialist, accompanied by a team of Chinese-born collaborators, works with recognised experts with a thorough knowledge of the Asian art market. The objects in our sales are guaranteed by two renowned experts: Pierre Ansas, SFEP Expert and Expert at the Court of Appeal of Paris and Anne Papillon d’Alton CEEA Expert.

Sought-after pieces

In China, 18th century jades, archaic bronzes, marked and period porcelains, old paintings, wood or stone sculptures or court robes are as much appreciated and coveted as armour, swords, lacquerware and display items for Japanese objects. Art produced for export, in connection with the East India Company, also interests certain buyers. We also look at Vietnam, whose flourishing economy is reflected in the interest of collectors in Hue blue and other objects steeped in the country’s history.

Our next records may be with you, so don’t hesitate to ask us. Our expert appraisals are free of charge and confidential at your home or by appointment. Our representative offices in Lyon, Brussels and in the South-East of France are at your disposal to have your objects appraised without having to travel.

We offer sellers a personal and local service, a direct and controlled access to the most important international buyers. We offer sellers a personal and local service, a direct and controlled access to the most important international buyers. The record results recorded regularly reflect the quality of the objects presented.

The Asian Art Department travels to your region for free and confidential appraisals. Our representative offices in the PACA region, Lyon and Brussels are at your disposal to estimate your pieces.

Paris, the epicentre of the Asian art market, is undoubtedly the ideal place to exhibit your Asian art objects. The City of Light attracts an international audience of buyers where auctions regularly reveal world-class results. The majority of Asian art lovers and collectors are fond of objects whose French provenance is a guarantee of quality and authenticity.

Putting it up for sale, a tailor-made service

The auctions are held at Aguttes’ headquarters, located in Neuilly-sur-Seine on the axis between the Champs-Elysées and La Défense, the Paris business district. They are held quarterly on carefully chosen dates, in line with the international calendar of Asian Weeks and the availability of collectors and connoisseurs.As the owner of an Asian art object, you wonder about its possible value and its future. Is it worth selling? Is it appropriate to pass it on? How do you know the value? Every day, our specialist receives similar requests by email and brings her expertise and knowledge. You can therefore simply send photographs of the works with their dimensions (in the following order: close-ups, details and possible marks or signatures). For certain categories of objects, a physical meeting is indispensable and necessary for the judicious valuation of your goods.

After the expertise and estimation, we will be able to agree together on the best sales strategy to adopt and on all the questions related to the financial, fiscal and logistical conditions of the envisaged sale. The terms and conditions discussed are adjusted according to the constraints of each party.

If you then decide to go ahead with the sale, the terms of the agreement are contractualised in a mandate which lists your lots and the clear and precise legal framework of this operation. The descriptions of the lot(s), the related estimates, the general conditions of sale and all the information concerning your rights are specified, notably the amount of the costs to be borne by the seller. The auctioneer in charge of auctioning your property will, on the day, have full knowledge of the agreed terms. The contract is signed bilaterally either by exchange of letters (email, post, electronic signature, etc.) or during an appointment.

The transfer of the lot is organised and the property is immediately covered by the “Entrusted Property” insurance policy taken out by Aguttes up to the agreed minimum price.

The work of expertise and preparation of the sale catalogue is then carried out in depth: creation of detailed files, research into historical information, technical expertise, photographs, etc. The catalogue is sent to print and put online on our website, it is distributed as widely as possible and distributed on international platforms. The objective is to reach the maximum number of potential buyers. Purchases must be paid for in cash and we are responsible for the storage of your goods at the Auction House pending payment.

As soon as we receive the proceeds of the sale, we will send you the balance by bank transfer, in strict accordance with the terms of the sale mandate. In the event of a non-sale (for example if the minimum reserve price is not reached), you retain ownership of the lot and are free to dispose of it free of charge or to leave it for a new sale. This completes the cycle of your sales experience with Aguttes.

Asian Arts department : from the estimate to the sale