By Jennifer Taylor
Issue 82 - May 2009

From mysterious sculptures and religious art, to intricate jade and bamboo carvings, we are all, it seems, charmed by the eternal beauty of Asian antiques.

It is this particular beauty that brought French-Asian art expert and dealer Cédric Curien from Europe to Singapore last September to establish his own Asian antiques art gallery, Art sous les Arcades – also known as Asian Art Singapore.

The gallery, located in a picturesque shophouse in Duxton Hill, specialises in the appraisal and evaluation of first-class cultural relics, with a strong focus on Chinese and Japanese antiques.

Cédric, 36, now divides his time between his galleries here and in Marseille, France. “Singapore is the quintessential meeting point between East and West,” he says. “It’s a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with a great fusion of culture, food, lifestyle and the arts.”

Along with a strong local community of collectors of Chinese antiques, expats are becoming increasingly fascinated by Asian antiques. “Ancient Asian art gives us a glimpse into the bygone cultures of the Orient, which we now view with fascination and wonder,” Cédric says. “Oriental art can lend itself to different environments including homes, offices and public spaces, as well as different styles of interior design. An oxblood Qing vase or an intricate jade carving can fit comfortably in an ultra-modern home and not clash with the décor.”

As well as a gallery showcasing Chinese art and antiques, Art sous les Arcades offers consultation services and advice on valuation and authentication.

The gallery came into fruition as a partnership between Cédric and fellow collector Dr Tom Haeusler. Tom is the director of Tao Trust Group, an international advisory company guided by the core principles of Tao (the Way) – honesty, trust, integrity, loyalty, responsibility and confidence.

These same values are the core of Art sous les Arcades, says Cédric, “to ensure that customers feel well informed and assured when they purchase antiques from us”.

Cédric’s passion for Chinese art began at a young age when he was first intrigued by his family’s collection of Asian antiques. “I grew up surrounded by beautiful and intricately crafted works of art from a world so different from mine. Even now, the Orient, its culture and its art continue to mesmerise me.”   

Now with more than ten years of experience in the Asian antiques market, Cédric’s expertise extends to Chinese porcelain, cloisonné, lacquer, Buddhist sculpture, scholastic objects and works of art, and more. He also works in partnership with European experts in ceramics and art objects of the Ming and Qing dynasties. All the pieces go through a stringent selection process examining the quality, workmanship, rarity, historical significance, and provenance of each piece.

“Pieces have to be rare, in good condition and, more importantly, beautiful,” says Cédric.

An increasing number of Asian antique art collectors are coming into the market to effectively “buy back” their national treasures, something Cédric believes has helped in developing the investment value of Asian art.

“An antique is more than just decorative; it embodies the heritage, culture and tradition of a country,” he believes. “A new group of Asian collectors are now entering the market, which is a positive step for Asia as these classic artefacts will serve as a reminder for future generations of the ingenious creativity and the magnificent artistry of their ancestors.”

For those of us who appreciate ancient Oriental art, but who are perhaps a little bewildered as to where to begin building our collection, Cédric has some good advice.

“The most important thing is to be helped by a professional dealer who can give you crucial advice on starting your collection with a piece that you like and is within your budget. Your first piece doesn’t have to be historically significant. It has to be something you like in terms of the physical beauty, the intricacy of the workmanship, the colour, the form, and the shape.”

According to Cédric, the value of the piece is not as important as your instinct when you find your ideal item. It’s also not a good idea to saturate your home with antiques all at once.

“Quality and rarity are the most important features in setting up a beautiful collection.”

Art sous les Arcades, 22 Duxton Hill. Call (+65) 6227 8610. www.asianartsingapore.com