Asian Gallery
East by South East Collection


Glass ledge with guestbook. There is something about Oriental antiques and artworks that excite and intrigue me. I have dreamed of being an antique dealer and an opportunity presented itself rather unexpectedly. In December 1986, I opened my gallery in Wyndham Street right beside where I started in 1972 in Hong Kong.

Over the years I have accumulated a lot of stuff and the obvious way to dispose them and still be in the collecting field is to go into business. To me possessing antiques is not an end but rather a beginning of something to learn about.

Gallery entrance
This is the view of the gallery towards the entrance door. The glass top ledge in a niche serves as a kind of console for guests to sign the guest book. On the wall is one of my favorite Chinese painting. I bought the Chinese goddess seating on top of a small blackwood stand in Manila International Airport in 1975 while waiting to board. The earthenware vessels with delicate silk flowers are Thai from the 17th century, Ayuthia Period. Detailed photo above.

View of the gallery






The reception area is small. I constructed a platform with vertical partitions to separate the different vignettes I composed around the gallery. Objects are arranged in this platform to leave the central area free from traffic obstruction and clutter. On the left is a large Chinese landscape painting of the Chien Lung Period. Other Chinese paintings hang on the walls.










Another view of the gallery







This is the view of the gallery towards my writing desk. On the wall hangs a classical Chinese painting by the famous Ming Dynasty painter Lu Zhi (1496-1576). The shelves display antique Chinese ceramic bowls. A 12th century Thai stone sculpture of Buddha under the Naga rests on the window sill. The green glazed Japanese pot on the floor is contemporary.








Another view of the gallery







This is the view of the gallery from my writing desk. The wall-type airconditioning is covered by wood slats. On the left wall is a pair of Japanese emaki or handscroll framed in the traditional manner.











Balcony of the gallery converted into a  roof garden






What originally attracted me about my gallery, although it is not in the street level, is the open terrace. A garden does not bloom overnight and it took me about a year to slowly cultivate the plants. My garden was a sanctuary of many birds from around the area. The bamboo wall with creepers conceals a large window type air conditioner protruding outside. Modular open slatted teak planks in natural finish cover the floor.







Thai Painting Exhibition

One of the gallery's activity is an exhibition of Thai paintings entitled "Tales of Buddha." For the first time in Hong Kong, the exhibition showed the largest number of Thai paintings. The show delighted those familiar with the art. To others who have never seen them before it was a revelation.

Gallery II Traditional Thai paintings are perhaps the most fascinating and original aspect of Thai art. They are sermons in line and color that have exerted an enduring influence on the life of the Thai people. The banners illustrate the Jatakas tales. Jatakas are religious fables that recall the lives of the Buddha in his former incarnations. Thai paintings transport one to the mythical and fantastic realms where divinities, fabulous beasts and spirits act out their roles.

See the Virtual Exhibition

FROM THE READERS
"I was devouring your book, and after signing your guest book, I was left wanting to say more....I am a second
generation interior designer in the very heart of the United States. Reading the Way of Design brought me
a great deal of personal pleasure and there are words within that I will carry with me. "
David Dalton, USA; March'97

[Book Cover] | [Contents] | [Foreword] | [Introduction] | [Formative Years] | [Space to Start] | [Tools of Trade] [Concept Renderings] | [First Break] | [East by Southeast] | [Working Manner] | [Space Transitions] | [Seasons' Home] | [Sunsets' Place] | [Pied á Terre] | [Something Different] | [Restrained Elegance] | [Dream Zones] | [In Comfort] [Prestige Investments] | [Asian Gallery] | [Lighting] | [Objects] | [Flowers] | [Afterword] | [Professional Profile] [Personal Profile] | [Sign Guestbook] | [Guestbook]

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