The European Fine Art Fair in Maastricht

By Editorial Stuff

Incense burner China, 17th/18th century Bronze Height 27 cm Ben Janssens Oriental Art at The European Fine Art Fair, Maastricht

The fifteenth `European Fine Art Fair' (TEFAF) takes place this year from 8 to 17 March. This time around, as it will open earlier than usual, collectors have an extra day to enjoy the fair. Asian art dealers will be among the 201 exhibitors taking part. Zen Gallery of Brussels have an emphasis on sculpture this year, timed to coincide with an exhibition travelling to European museums of Buddhist sculpture from the temple of Longxing Si in Shandong province. A highlight of their show is a Shandong Northern Qi torso of the Buddha. Also on view are some finely potted Tang figures.

Blue Elephant Oriental Art will display a 10th-12th century Pala-style stone Buddha. The crowned figure is shown meditating beneath an archway, above which three smaller Buddhas sit in niches. Two are meditating, while the central third Buddha makes the earth-touching gesture.

Several dealers from London are taking part. Ben Janssens, exhibiting at TEFAF for the sixth time, has a stand in the central corridor. He will show early Chinese pottery, bronzes and sculpture, and later works in cloisonne, lacquer, wood and other materials. A highlight is a bronze incense burner from the 17th/18th century. This elegantly modelled pieces is in the form of a recumbent stag. The extreme length of the neck gives it the appearance of a mythical animal, and it is comparable to a group of recumbent qilin which serve as supports for mirrors; another example with stylistic similarities is a qilin censer in the Clague collection. The stag has a convex lid set into its back, surmounted by a branch and peach.

After the Arts of Pacific Asia show in San Francisco Linda Wrigglesworth will be continuing on to Maastricht with her exhibition `Manchu Gold', comprising 19th century costumes and textiles with elaborate patterns in gold and silver-wrapped thread.

To ensure a presence in Europe, David Priestley of Priestley & Ferraro Chinese Art will also be participating in the fair following the Madison Square Garden Antiquarian Fair in December and just prior to the International Asian Art Fair in New York. In his view, adding some balance to his `portfolio' of fairs has become even more essential following the events of 11 September as `nothing can be taken for granted, even the buying enthusiasm of American collectors'. As he is not familiar with the current tastes of collectors in northern Europe, he will be showing a broad range of Han and Tang pottery and Song ceramic vessels.