Newsletter - Issue 1 - Ben Janssens Oriental Art

We are delighted that 2006 marks our 10th consecutive year of participation in The European Fine Art Fair in Maastricht - 10 to 19 March 2006. We will be exhibiting early Chinese works of art including sculpture, pottery and bronzes, as well as Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasty pieces in jade, glass, lacquer, wood, enamel and other materials. A group of Indian and South East Asian works of art will also be shown. A catalogue featuring a selection of the works on view at Maastricht is now available.
Contact Ben Janssens Oriental Art for more details

Sandstone caricature head of a Lohan China, Sichuan province,
Yuan or Ming dynasty,
14th or 15th century
Height: 9 inches, 23 cm
Width: 8 inches, 20.3 cm

This head almost certainly depicts a so-called Lohan or Arhat, one of the personal disciples of Buddha, who were characterised by their eccentricity and supernatural powers. A Lohan or Arhat is the disciple who has passed the different stages of the Noble Path, who has conquered all passions and is not to be reborn. It is, however, unusual to find what appears to be almost a caricature portrait of a lohan; most examples are straightforward, often somewhat idealised renditions. This head most probably originates from Sichuan province, which has a long tradition of depicting lively, caricature-like effigies of humans, as is evident in some of its pottery figures of entertainers, such as a figure of a grimacing drummer from the Sichuan Provincial Museum. A more naturalistic trend in sculpture was initiated by Song dynasty (960 – 1279) sculptors, who often depicted human figures with animated, expressive faces. This trend continued into the subsequent Yuan and Ming dynasties, as is evident from the supremely lively expression on the face of this Lohan. Song dynasty sandstone sculpture is found in the grottoes of Anyue, also in Sichuan province. Although mostly lacking the element of caricature, some of the sculptures from the grottoes at Anyue bear a resemblance to the present head. Two sandstone sculptures of Arhats, one with a tiger, the other with a dragon were discovered in 1980 at the Boshan Temple site in Fu county, Shaanxi province.
For more information about this piece please visit our website

Lacquered gesso figure of the bodhisavatta Manjushri Tibeto-Chinese,
late 17th or early 18th century
Height: 18 inches, 45.7 cm

Manjushri is a prominent deity in the Buddhist pantheon, and is usually identified as the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom. This wisdom is contained within the sacred text that lies on the lotus base before him. Together with Avalokitesvara, the deity who represents Compassion, they embody the essence of enlightenment. The sword is a symbol for the overcoming of darkness and ignorance. This sculpture is of very fine quality and made from an unusual material; it is built up from a gesso-like substance that is subsequently gilded and painted. More often, such images of Manjushri are made in metal. In view of the accomplished lacquering technique used, it is likely that the present figure was made by Chinese craftsmen.
For more information about this piece please visit our website

The Yangsi making fun of the television crew during the enthronement ceremony

In collaboration with Hidde van Seggelen Contemporary Art, Ben Janssens presents at TEFAF 2006 the work of Magnum photographer Martine Franck.
The images shown are of the Tibetan Tulkus (the process of reincarnation), and the daily life of the Tibetan Lama.

Martine Franck on Tibetan Tulkus:
"The first Tibetan lama I met was the late Kalu Rimpoche: he died shortly afterwards and his translator and interpreter, François Jaquemart, suggested I join a group of disciples who were going to attend the enthronement of his reincarnation. He had been reborn and recognized as such and from now was to enter the monastery as a young monk and be educated accordingly.
One day if this little boy proves himself , studies well, he will become a spiritual master in his own right. I was fascinated by this tradition of handing down knowledge and educating an elite and I wondered if there were other such children recognized as tulkus, i.e. reborn lamas.
This search brought me in contact again with the Magnum photographer Marilyn Silverstone who had given up photography to become a Tibetan nun and lived in Schechen monastery, in Nepal, since 17 years. Without her help, knowledge and friendship I would never have been able to do the photographs I did. She believed in my project and I would like to acknowledge my gratitude to her. Through the years I met and photographed many young lamas and I am curious to see how they develop."

Our stand at the fair (no. 202) can be found immediately to the left of the entrance on the central square (Place de la Concorde). In Maastricht we can be contacted on :
+ 31 (0) 43 383 8707
or alternatively on mobile telephone number:
+44 777 0476 122