From East to West

While Western art emphasises precise and perfect details on the surface, Chinese art focuses on the inner meaning of the subject. This is an aspect of Chinese art that fascinates Jacqueline Simcox, who specialises in Chinese and central Asian silk textiles. 

“In the West we have become accustomed to looking at the surface decoration,” she explains. “Chinese art has many layers of meaning.” She gave an example of flowers on Chinese textiles; they are not just for decoration but often express an inner essence: flowers blossoming in the winter can represent fortitude.

One of the textiles Simcox will be exhibiting at Masterpiece London is a turquoise silk robe dating from the Daoguang period in the Qing dynasty—the last imperial dynasty of China. Beautifully embroidered with glowing colours, this is a garment that was made for a lady of the Imperial court. 

The large roundels on the costume contain butterflies, peaches, and gourds around peony blossoms—a design that carries auspicious wishes including the wishes for sons and grandsons. This special robe will be on exhibit at Masterpiece for £32,000.

Simcox has been in the business for over 30 years. Talking of how she thinks the sales will go, she says: “You never know … every dealer has hope and anticipation before a fair.” So far, from her experience, Masterpiece has mostly drawn in English and London-based collectors; Simcox is positive it will pull in more international clientele in the future as it grows.

Masterpiece has continued to attract new exhibitors this year, including German-based jewellery makers Hemmerle. They are launching their unique and exquisite Egyptian-inspired jewellery collection this year and have high expectations of the fair. Run by Christian Hemmerle and his Egyptian wife Yasmin, Hemmerle feels mesmerised by Egyptian jewels: their symbolism, stories, and their “stylised simplicity”. 

“The simplicity and purity found within the shapes and lines are parallel with Hemmerle’s vision and traditions,” Hemmerle explains.

The fair will be showcasing Meissen porcelain from Munich dealers Röbbig, fine wines from Claren Dillon Wines, and antique maps from the Map House, to name a few.

 

Masterpiece London 2012 is on from June 27 until July 3 at South Grounds, The Royal Hospital Chelsea, London, SW3 4SR.
A midsummer charity party in support of CLIC Sargent, UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people will be held on Wednesday, July 4, from 7 p.m.

For tickets and enquiries:
020 8752 2883 
www.masterpiecefair.com

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