Publications

Country Life
Carla Passino

“Forget wings. Chinese dragons have none, although this doesn’t make them any less formidable. St George’s foe glides through the air as it seeks to terrorise villages and eat the odd girl or two; its Chinese counterpart f loats among waves, cliffs or clouds, almost looking ‘like a primitive snake or fish,’ according to Mark Slaats, partner at Asian art specialists Littleton & Hennessy. It’s closer to ancient Greece’s Hydra or the sea serpents of Scandinavian mythology, but, unlike them, it is a benevolent creature, ruling over water and weather and symbolising wisdom, prosperity and power.”

Apollo Magazine
Emma Crichton-Miller

“From the time of the Ming dynasty onwards, many great works found their way into Japanese collections, and from there, in the 20th century, into major European and American collections. Mark Slaats of the London-based dealers Littleton & Hennessy says that while Chinese buyers may dominate the auction market, there is still interest among European and American collectors in exceptional works.”

Forbes
Natasha Gural

“We’re drawn into the barrel of a ray gun and navigate every angle of Feng Mengbo’s Afghan pink onyx Astronaut (2023), a delightful surprise displayed alongside ancient Bronze figures by Littleton & Hennessy Asian Art of London. A pioneer of computer technologies in the 1990s, Feng invites us into his sensational fantasy world inspired by his fascination with computer games. Feng, who deconstructs Chinese history and present-day realities, blasted into the international art scene in 1993.”

BBC News

The object, a Chinese wine ewer that may have belonged to an emperor, was found in Derbyshire by the 51-year-old as he went through boxes in a garage. It was expected to fetch between £20,000 and £40,000 but instead sold for more than the average house. The anonymous seller, who almost took it to a charity shop, said he might use the cash to buy a metal detector. The construction worker from Swadlincote added: “I’m thrilled, this will change a few things for us all. I sat and watched the auction live at home with my brother and family.”

TRT World

Last Summer, our Director Mark Slaats gave his expert opinion on changes and challenges in the Chinese art market to TRT World’s ‘Showcase’. Based on the 2019 TEFAF Art Market Report, several key areas in the current market are discussed.

TEFAF New York

Director Mark Slaats presenting an important pair of Chinese hanging scrolls (Southern Song Dynasty, 13th century) at ‘TEFAF Meet the Expert’.