Asian Painters

A Lê Phổ painting rediscovered in a family estate can now achieve several hundred thousand euros at auction—a market that simply did not exist before 2014. Aguttes pioneered this specialty by bringing to light in Paris the work of artists from China and Vietnam: painters whose unique fusion of Eastern and Western artistic traditions remained largely overlooked for decades but is now actively sought after by leading collectors in Taipei, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong and Shanghai.

If you own a painting, lacquer work or sculpture from Asia—perhaps even signed by one of these masters—you may possess a work whose true value has never been recognized within your family. Our role is to establish its market value, guarantee its authenticity and provide access to the international network of collectors that only a pioneering auction house with deep roots in this specialist market can offer.

Request a free and confidential valuation by submitting photographs and a description of your artwork to discover its current market value.

Aguttes: The Historic Leader in the Asian Painters Market Since 2014

With a longstanding appreciation for 20^th-century Asian art, Aguttes was the first international auction house to explore and develop the market for modern Indochinese art, often referred to as the Hanoi School. In 2014, when this market had yet to emerge, our specialist Charlotte Aguttes-Reynier began introducing newly discovered works on a regular basis, bringing forgotten artists back into the spotlight.

Supported by quarterly sales and meticulous research, her sustained commitment has helped create the conditions for the spectacular growth of a market that is now truly international. Aguttes' longstanding presence in this field has fostered an in-depth understanding of collectors from China, Vietnam and Taiwan, as well as across Hong Kong and Singapore, leading to numerous world auction records.

This pioneering position gives our specialists the depth of expertise required to provide accurate, reliable valuations. The department's continual discoveries are closely followed by collectors worldwide, while the precision and rigor of its expertise are widely recognized. For every consignor, Aguttes acts as a trusted partner, securing the best possible results within the framework of the French auction system.

A Team of Specialized Experts Focused on Asia

A leading authority in Modern Asian Art for more than twelve years, Charlotte Aguttes-Reynier works alongside two complementary specialists. Clémentine Guyot focuses on the traditional arts of China, Japan, Vietnam, Southeast Asia and Tibet, championing these fields with enduring passion. Ophélie Guillerot specializes in contemporary Asian art, successfully attracting the attention of international collectors. Together, the team carefully examines every work prior to sale, ensuring collectors can purchase with complete confidence in its authenticity.

Entrust your artwork to our specialists for a free valuation within 48 hours.

The Artists We Seek and Their East-West Legacy

Throughout the 20^th century, schools of fine and applied arts flourished from Saigon and Huế to Tokyo. These artists shared a unique dual artistic heritage, combining Eastern traditions with Western academic training. For many, time spent in Paris during the vibrant interwar years proved transformative. The artistic atmosphere of 1920s Montparnasse and the influence of Japonisme shaped an entire generation of painters from Hanoi, Beijing, Shanghai and beyond.

In Hanoi, Victor Tardieu, founder of the École des Beaux-Arts de l'Indochine in 1925, trained a remarkable generation of artists whose works in ink, silk, lacquer and oil painting created a visual language unlike any other in twentieth-century art history.

Vietnamese, Chinese and French Artists of Indochina

We actively seek works by Vietnamese artists trained at the École des Beaux-Arts de l'Indochine from 1925 onwards, including Lê Phổ, Mai Trung Thứ, Vũ Cao Đàm, Lương Xuân Nhị, Lê Thi Luu, Phạm Hậu, Nam Sơn, Lê Văn Đệ et Nguyễn Đức Nùng, Hoàng Tích Chù, Lê Quốc Lộc …. We are also interested in French artists associated with Indochina, including travelling painters, teachers who worked in the region and recipients of the Prix d'Indochine, established by the Société des Artistes Français in 1910, such as Alix Aymé, Évariste Jonchère, Joseph Inguimberty, Henri Émile Vollet. For Chinese art, Aguttes is proud to hold the European auction record for Sanyu at €8.8 million, while continuing to champion artists such as Lin Fengmian, Pan Yuliang and Zhu Yuanzhi… names that may be less familiar to the wider public but whose works now command exceptional prices.

How to Authenticate an Asian Painting

The growing demand for these artists since 2014 has inevitably led to the appearance of forgeries, particularly involving the most valuable signatures. Our specialist expertise is dedicated to examining every detail before a work is offered for sale, ensuring collectors acquire only authentic works—an essential requirement for achieving world-record prices.

Charlotte Aguttes-Reynier, a history expert and author of the seminal work Modern Art in Indochina, vouches for every work on display

The undisputed quality of our expertise is a key factor for major international collectors. As a global leader in this market, we offer the assurance of a secure purchase. The world records we regularly set attest to the trust these collectors place in our auction house.

Signatures, cachets, certificats et provenance

Authenticating a work by Mai Trung Thứ or identifying a forged Sanyu requires the careful examination of numerous technical and documentary elements. Signatures and seals are compared with recognised references in catalogues raisonnés and specialist publications. Certificates and documented exhibition or catalogue records help confirm attribution. Provenance remains one of the most decisive factors. A work acquired directly from the artist or preserved within the same family for decades carries considerable weight, and its personal history often becomes a significant contributor to its value. Finally, comparison with the technical records of other documented works held in our archives allows our specialists to reach a well-founded conclusion.

Market Value and Auction Records for Asian Painters: What Is Your Artwork Worth?

Since 2014, Aguttes has played a central role in the remarkable growth of this market. The value of a work depends on its date of creation, medium (oil, lacquer, ink or silk), artistic quality and rarity within the artist's known body of work.

These figures are indicative only and may change over time. The true value of any artwork can only be determined following examination by a specialist.

Get your free and confidential valuation within 48 hours.

Privileged Access to International Collectors and World-Record Results

Aguttes provides sellers with secure transactions in Paris under French auction law, connecting them with buyers primarily from across Asia. The auction house benefits from an exceptional international marketing network, including beautifully produced printed and digital catalogues, targeted campaigns directed at established collectors, extensive social media coverage, international media exposure, online bidding platforms and premium visual, written and video content.

Four Sales Each Year at the Heart of the Asian Art Calendar

Our department organises four annual auctions in Paris, strategically aligned with the international Asian art calendar, including Asia Now – Paris Asian Art Fair, Printemps Asiatique and Asian Week. Holding our sales alongside these major events ensures maximum visibility among the world's leading collectors, offering consignors the opportunity to sell under the best possible conditions within a typical timeframe of two to three months.

Targeted International Marketing Across China, Vietnam, Taiwan and Hong Kong

Our representatives in China and Vietnam maintain extensive relationships with local media. We actively engage collectors based in Taipei, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as buyers in the United States, Canada and South America. This international reach enables us to achieve world-record prices for works that the European market alone would not have fully appreciated.

Request a Free and Confidential Valuation

Before arranging an appointment, simply send photographs, dimensions, signatures and any available provenance documents via our online form or directly to one of our specialists. You will receive an initial valuation range without obligation and in complete confidence. For important works or estate valuations, our specialists are available to visit your home throughout France and across Europe.

Our Regional Offices and Home Visits

Our regional offices in Lyon, Lille, Aix-en-Provence, Brussels and Geneva offer local appraisal services. We can also travel to you and provide discreet assistance with the valuation, private sale or acquisition of works of art.