The hidden treasures of Asian art: what expertise reveals

Hidden Treasures Unveiled on BFM Business

During her appearance on Le Coffre-Fort on BFM Business, our Asian Art specialist, Clémentine Guyot, highlighted several remarkable discoveries that have recently made headlines in the auction market. Objects preserved within the same family for generations can sometimes prove to be genuine treasures, whose true value often remains unsuspected.

These exceptional auction results—sometimes far exceeding their initial estimates—demonstrate the importance of expert appraisal. They also remind us that many works of Asian art are still waiting to be rediscovered, whether ceramics, bronzes, paintings, sculptures, or scholars' objects.

Discover our specialist's interview on BFM Business and the fascinating stories behind these extraordinary objects and their remarkable journeys.

Expanding Markets Beyond China

While the Chinese art market remains a cornerstone of the international auction scene, collectors are increasingly turning their attention to other cultural regions across Asia. Works from Tibet, Nepal, Korea, Myanmar, and Thailand are enjoying renewed interest, driven by the quality of their craftsmanship, their rarity on the market, and ongoing advances in art historical research.

Among these fields, Himalayan art is experiencing particularly strong momentum. Buddhist bronze sculptures, religious paintings (thangkas), and Tibetan and Nepalese ritual objects are attracting an increasingly discerning international clientele, who value the quality of the casting, the refinement of the chasing, the age of the works, and their provenance. This growing interest reflects a broader rediscovery of the artistic heritage of the Himalayan region, now widely recognized by leading museums as well as by the international art market.

This trend is naturally reflected in Aguttes' sales. The Asian Art Department notably offered a Sino-Tibetan gilt-bronze figure dating from the Qing dynasty (18th century).

, a 17th-century Tibetan statue of Shyama Tara, as well as a remarkable Nepalese bronze from the Kathmandu Valley, dating from the Malla dynasty (16th century), and an important Nepalese ceremonial necklace. These results illustrate the growing prominence of Himalayan art in specialist auctions.

Other markets also deserve collectors’ full attention. The arts of Korea, Burma and Thailand remain less well known, but certain rare works attract fierce competition when they appear on the market. Their diversity testifies to the richness of Asian art and serves as a reminder that specialist expertise remains essential for identifying a work’s potential.

Finally, the Chinese market retains a central position and continues to yield remarkable discoveries. For instance, an imperial robe from the Yongzheng period (1722–1735), which had been kept for years by a family unaware of its exceptional nature—to the extent that it was lent to children for dressing up—was identified by Clémentine Guyot before achieving great success at auction. Featured on the programme Le Coffre-Fort on BFM Business, this story perfectly illustrates just how much an expert appraisal can transform the way an object is viewed.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Other major works, such as a significant 19th-century Chinese baluster vase, bear witness to the constant dynamism of the Chinese art market.

Have your Asian artworks valued

Do you own a ceramic, a bronze, a painting, a sculpture, a piece of furniture or any other Asian art object? The specialists in Aguttes’ Asian Art department will assist you in identifying, valuing and promoting your artworks, in the strictest confidence.

In addition to the appointments organised in Neuilly-sur-Seine, our experts regularly travel throughout France to hold valuation days, enabling collectors and private individuals to have their items assessed as close to home as possible. You can also request an online valuation or book an appointment with our team to receive personalised advice.