Les sculptures asiatiques

Sculpture has been practiced in China long before the Common Era. The most famous example of the talent of these artists is undoubtedly the Terracotta Army from the mausoleum of Emperor Qin, who lived in the 3rd century BCE. To date, more than 8,000 painted clay statues representing soldiers and horses with incredible realism have been discovered at the site.

However, Chinese sculpture truly flourished with the arrival of Buddhism from India around the middle of the 1st century. From this period onward, artists produced a significant number of religious paintings and sculptures. The Buddhist grottoes of Yungang, Binglingsi, Longmen, and Mogao bear witness to the importance and development of the religion. These sanctuaries, consisting of numerous caves and chapels carved into cliffs by Buddhist monks, house tens of thousands of statues of Buddha and his disciples depicted in different styles, allowing them to be dated with great precision. Some of these statues are sculpted in high relief into the rock and can exceed 25 meters in height, while others, of smaller dimensions, are made of terracotta, sometimes with polychrome glaze.

Japan is also renowned for its sculptures, which were influenced by China and Buddhism while maintaining its own cultural identity rooted in Shintoism. The early clay figurines, or dogū, gradually gave way to statues made of metal, primarily bronze, as well as lacquered, gilded, or painted wood. The features of these figures are distinctly different from those found in China.

Objects destined for an auction of Chinese or Japanese sculptures can be appraised by specialists in Asian antiques. Based on the materials used and the style of the figurine or statue, they can determine its origin, age, and provide an estimate of its value.