Rare art from Nepal, Bhutan and Tibetan on offer in Cheffins Cambridge sale
More than 200 lots of Nepalese, Bhutanese and Tibetan art will be offered as part of the Cheffins Fine Sale on Wednesday and Thursday, December 8 and 9.
The items are from philanthropist Alain Rouveure’s collection which is believed to be one of the largest in private hands. They include dancers’ masks, antique textiles, rugs, shawls, ancient lama and shamen dresses, furniture and associated ritual artefacts, many of which have been regularly exhibited across the world.
One of the highlights is a pair of rare and important carved wooden masks of Krodha from southern Tibet, dating from 1430 to 1620, and have estimates of £25,000-£35,00 apiece.
Alain Rouveure first visited Nepal in 1979 and began to acquire rare and early artefacts. He has kept returning to remote areas of Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan and built on his extensive collection.
He says: “When I started buying these pieces, my intention was to establish a museum in Nepal, however due to current political circumstances, this is no longer possible and as a result, I have now taken the difficult decision to sell a part of my collection.”
He runs a not-for-profit gallery raising funds for social projects in Nepal. Following the 2015 earthquakes, the Alain Rouveure Nepal Fund is currently sponsoring an earthquake-proof community centre and health post two hours from Kathmandu.
He says: “I was lucky during my many visits to the region to establish lasting relationships with the talented craftsmen and women we work with, and I found it impossible to spend so much time with these wonderful people without being involved in their daily life. That is when I decided to set up the charity, making a difference where it matters.”
Part of the moneys raised from the sale will go to the fund. Cheffins will sell the remaining part of the Alain Rouveure Collection in 2022.
Brett Tryner, director at Cheffins, says: “This sale is going to provide a unique opportunity for private collectors and museums from around the world to acquire provenanced pieces, collected in the country where they were created. Alain has an incredibly discerning eye when it comes to Asian art and artefacts and a number of these pieces are of both historic and social importance.”
Cheffins Fine Sale is on December 8 and 9 at the firm’s showrooms in Cambridge. For more details visit cheffins.co.uk/fine-art/catalogue-view,the-fine-sale_206.htm.
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