Historic Chinese silk scroll up for auction in France

A section of a silk handscroll depicting a historically important trip by China's longest-serving Emperor is to go up for auction in France next week. Two other Chinese pieces from private French collections will also go under the hammer on April 27 as part of a sale hosted by auctioneers Alain Briscadieu. The section of scroll on offer is part of the sixth in a celebrated series of 12 painted by the artist Wang Hui (1632-1717) to record a tour of inspection of southern China by the Emperor Kangxi. Kangxi ruled from 1661-1722 and his trips to the south are seen as having helped consolidate Beijing's rule over all of what constitutes modern China. The fragment on sale here depicts landscapes, crowds, horsemen and boats and measures 2.5m x 0.68m. It is expected to sell for up to 200,000 euros ($260,000). Chinese art expert Philippe Delalande said such handscrolls were often split up in the 1930s or 40s after being imported by European merchants. At that time they were not nearly as sought-after as they are today, when a complete scroll would be likely to fetch up to fifteen million euros. Delalande said he was aware of two other sections of the scroll, one owned by a Chinese collector and one by another enthusiast in Phoenix, Arizona. "The whereabouts of the other pieces is a mystery," he told AFP. "Everyone needs to have a good look through their attics!" The other two prized items on sale are a Doucai porcelain plate from the Qianlong period (1736-1795) of the Qing dynasty which has the emperor's stamp. "It is an exceptionally fine and large (50.7-cm-diameter) example of the period," added Delalande. It is expected to sell for between 50,000 and 70,000 euros. The third piece is a gilt bronze of a Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. It has been estimated at between 20,000 and 30,000 euros but could, according to Delalande, go for more than three times as much if there is significant interest from Chinese collectors. Auctions of ancient Chinese relics often attract a lot of Chinese buyers who are keen to bring them back to their country.