First Gallery of Christian Deydier in Asia

[Sponsored Article]

After establishing itself as the go-to spot for Chinese art in London and Paris, Christian Deydier finally setting up his gallery in Hong Kong.

“This is my first gallery in Asia. I was always seeking to open something in Hong Kong, but maybe it was not the right timing back then,” says Christian Deydier, the founder of the gallery. 

Although he has become quite renowned as a specialist in Chinese art, Deydier has kept his gallery spaces only in the Western sphere till now.

“At the time, the competition was fierce. Also, it was much more interesting for me to be in the UK at that time because all the top dealers were in London. So from my point of view, it was best to go to the right place to compete,” says Deydier of why it took him until now to open its doors in Asia.

But he feels that now is the right time to enter the Hong Kong market given its robust and active art scene.

To kick things off, an opening exhibition will run in its 1,100 sq ft space along Hollywood Road from October 3 to 19.

Deydier promises there will be plenty of treasures to check out at his gallery’s opening exhibition in Hong Kong. And it will be featuring pieces of his expertise.

“We will mainly do Chinese arts because that is my field,” he says.

One of the highlights will be an archaic bronze vessel (jia) from the Shang dynasty, 14th century B.C.. The finely cast bronze wine vessel is one of five best bronze pieces from this particular period outside China, according to Deydier and the Japanese scholars. 

Other highlights include a parcel gilt silver lobed bowl from the Tang dynasty, beautifully engraved with a gilded central medallion of exotic flowers and large feathery leaves. 

There is also a white marble sculpture of Buddha from the Northern Qi dynasty. The 129cm-tall standing Buddha has its right hand in the abhaya mudra (gesture of the absence of fear) and its left hand in varada mudra (gesture of giving his spiritual gift). 

Another highlight is a silk samit with an intricate deer design. The recently restored fabric of unknown origin is believed to have come from Central Asia in the 7th century. 
“The highlight of the exhibition is me,” Deydier replied in jest, when asked what would be the focus of the exhibition.

But that’s actually not far from the truth. Deydier has become well known in Chinese art circles for his knowledge in this area. 

“My speciality is in Chinese art and archaeology, especially in bronze, gold and silver from the Tang dynasty,” he explains. 

Deydier studied Chinese in France and moved on to study archaeology and jiaguwen, or oracle-bone scriptures, at National Taiwan University. Besides his art dealings, he has also published a number of books on art.

He has donated parts of his own collections to Chinese museums, including a silver box from the Liao dynasty to the Shaanxi History Museum in 1993. He also donated 28 gold plates from the Qin Culture to the Gansu Provincial Museum in 2015.

But Chinese art will not be the only thing Deydier will deal with at his new gallery. “The base of the gallery is always Chinese art, but we want to also put on something different to attract [Chinese collectors],” he says.

“A lot of collectors in China are asking me or other dealers for pieces from other cultures. As I was in charge of the French dealer association and a big fair in Paris every two years (Biennale des Antiquaires), I know a lot of dealers and told them that when we have the auction and fair in Hong Kong, maybe it will be good to organise exhibitions in other fields, because a lot of Chinese are starting to be interested in other cultures.” 

Deydier hopes to eventually put up an exhibition for jewellery, another for 18th to 20th century French furniture, as well as an exhibition on African arts with one of his dealer friends. 

“What I want to bring [with this new gallery] is what you don’t have in Hong Kong and China,” he says. He stresses the importance of authenticity when dealing in this part of the world. “There is a problem in China’s art field,” the gallery owner explains. “China has no laws to protect the buyer and this is something very important. In other parts of the world, especially in France, we have special laws where the dealer has to guarantee authenticity of a piece. If there is something wrong, you have to refund the client and you can even go to jail for it.” 

Christian Deydier opens his first gallery in Asia on Oct 2 in Hollywood Road, Hong Kong.