12/09/2010

Store owners embrace traditions of Chinese art

UNIQUE—Will Merrill, owner of Asian Furnishings in Westlake Village, displays a warehouse full of Chinese art recently acquired by his business partner, Michelle Lou. SYLVIE BELMOND/Acorn Newspapers

UNIQUE—Will Merrill, owner of Asian Furnishings in Westlake Village, displays a warehouse full of Chinese art recently acquired by his business partner, Michelle Lou. SYLVIE BELMOND/Acorn Newspapers Becoming an Asian art dealer wasn’t always the plan for Agoura resident Will Merrill.

A tree trimmer by trade, Merrill developed an interest in ancient Chinese art about three years ago when he attended a party hosted by Michelle Lou, a local dealer who buys and sells Asian antiques, collectibles and reproductions.

Merrill, a collector by nature, said he went to the party for the Chinese food but when he arrived he became fascinated by a bronze sculpture of six individuals sitting on a boat that was decorated with the head and tail of a dragon.

“I couldn’t put it down; I connected with it,” Merrill said.

“It’s clear that the work required patience and talent to complete. I have a tremendous appreciation for the time, effort and talent people took to create these pieces,” he said.

TREASURE—Michelle Lou, owner of Asian Furnishings, discusses her favorite piece, a blue and white porcelain rice wine jar from the Ming Dynasty. The jar is worth about $15,000. SYLVIE BELMOND/Acorn Newspapers

TREASURE—Michelle Lou, owner of Asian Furnishings, discusses her favorite piece, a blue and white porcelain rice wine jar from the Ming Dynasty. The jar is worth about $15,000. SYLVIE BELMOND/Acorn

Newspapers His newfound passion for Chinese art led Merrill to become a business partner with Lou, who’s been dealing in Asian art for more than two decades.

About two years ago, the pair opened Asian Furnishings in Westlake Village.

“Michelle is the main ingredient of this partnership. She has 28 years of experience traveling to China to build the collection,” Merrill said.

The store is filled with porcelain vases, statues, wood carvings and Eastern deities. Lou said many people enjoy Asian art because it conveys feng shui and can bring harmony, wealth and happiness to a home.

“You don’t have to be Chinese to appreciate Chinese art,” Lou said.

Westlake Village resident May Wang said Lou is knowledgeable about the art and its value and “she treats her customers like friends.”

Wang said the Westlake Village store is like a little museum for traditional Asian artwork.

Read more at The Acorn

Dec 9, 2010 2:30:31 PM | Art, Current Affairs

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