We have been fortunate to be able to include for sale so many rare works of art and ceramics unseen for years and formerly in distinguished private and museum collections. Some objects come from private English, European and American collectors who wish to remain anonymous. However, a few of the celebrated names associated with the exhibits are George Eumorfopoulos, Sir John Woolf, Henry de Laszlo, George de Menasce, Miss A. C. Kemp, Sir Bernard Eckstein, The Idemitsu Museum and the Gulbenkian Museum, Durham.

In the light of the tragic events of last year, it was poignant for us as we began our research into the works of art from the de Laszlo collection to discover his motivation for collecting. Henry de Laszlo was a research chemist who, due to difficulties in obtaining pure chemicals, set up his own company, the success of which enabled him to start his collection. In the late 1930s he became increasingly concerned about the future of the world’s civilisations and the impending prospect of the destruction of so many works of art. During this time his imagination was fired by a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it was the Chinese works of art and ceramics that proved to be the most exciting. He then began a collection that afforded him refuge and purpose in a time of conflict. We are today reminded of de Laszlo’s reflections and the personal way in which he dealt with them.

Asian Art in London.

Our search for the special Chinese work of art that stimulates the imagination and confirms the enduring skill and artistic genius of both the Chinese artist and artisan can, we hope, be seen in the objects selected for sale. I feel they recommend themselves for their form and quality and need little extra commendation from me.