Paris Auction Spotlights Centuries of Chinese Craftsmanship
By Artnet Gallery Network
On the horizon in Paris, a singular compilation of art and objects are set to hit the block at Artcurial. The Asian Art Auction features over 350 Chinese pieces spanning the Song and Qing dynasties, and will be on view in a public exhibition on Saturday, June 6, preceeding the auction on Tuesday, June 9, both at the Hôtel Marcel Dassault on the Champs-Élysées. Together, the sale illuminates not only a breadth of historic craftsmanship and artistry—from ceramics and Buddhist sculpture to cloisonné enamels and jade carvings—but also a glimpse inside numerous prestigious European private collections. Meticulously curated by the Artcurial Asian Art department, what ultimately emerges is an intriguing dialogue between Chinese visual culture and European collecting tradition.
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A rare white-glazed incised “Bajixiang” stem bowl, China, Qing dynasty, Yongzheng mark and period (1723-1735). Est. €10,000–€20,000. Courtesy of Artcurial.
Underpinning the sale are a number of notable private collections, such as the collection of Baron and Baroness Vaxelaire, and the French private collection known as Le goût en hérigate (“Taste as Heritage”). Anchoring the sale, however, is a significant grouping of Qingbai porcelains hailing from both the Northern and Southern Song dynasties, recognized for their signature pale-blue glazes and refined forms. The Vaxelaire collection has also contributed a range of vessels, including understated stemmed cups and ewers, many of which have provenances that can be traced to prominent European specialists like Artcade Gallery and Ming-K’I Gallery.
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A rare pair of blue and white porcelain bottle vases, China, Qing dynasty, Qianlong mark and period (1736-1795). Est. €20,000–€40,000. Courtesy of Artcurial.
Other highlights from the sale include a pair of blue-and-white porcelain bottle vases from the Qianlong period. Known as bangchui ping, an identical example of these vases are in the permanent collection of the Nanjing Museum. Elsewhere, a sculpture of Buddha carved from schist standing on a lotus base wearing iconic monastic robes is exemplary of the diverse range of Buddhist motifs and sculpture dating from across centuries. Advanced artistry can also be found in the expansive selection of painted enamel pieces, each enrobed in vivid scenes and vignettes illustrative of the period in which they were made.
A carved gray schist figure of standing Buddha, Gandhara (2nd-4th century). Est. €30,000–€40,000. Courtesy of Artcurial.
Additionally, a pair of large-scale gilt-lacquered bronze sculptures of Guanvin and Puxian (two of the most important figures in Mahayana Buddhism) traced to the Yuan/Ming dynasties stand out in the sale. With the former seated upon a mythical beast emblematic of spiritual protection and clarity, the latter is shown upon a white elephant, signaling purity and enlightenment.
Surveying the Asian Art Auction, what appears is a unique opportunity for both new and seasoned collectors of Asian art to explore an unparalleled scope of art and craftsmanship across periods, dynasties, and regions.
The Artcurial Asian Art Auction will be held Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at the Hôtel Marcel Dassault, Paris.
This article was originally published by Artnet News.