Alain Presencer’s passion for Tibetan and Buddhist culture began at the age of 13 in Canada, when he first started learning about Buddhism. This early curiosity grew into a lifelong pursuit of knowledge, particularly into the mystical and ritualistic aspects of Tibetan traditions.
Since the early 1970s, Alain has undertaken numerous journeys to Tibet, gaining rare access to remote lamaseries and other locations across the Himalayas and uncovering valuable insights into Tibetan spiritual and social practices, despite not speaking local dialects. Alain’s adventures and extensive research has helped to cultivate a deeper appreciation and broaden the understanding of Tibetan art and culture in the West, earning him widespread recognition, such as a Fellowship at the Royal Asiatic Society.
Beyond his academic contributions, Alain has also introduced many to the mesmerising sounds of Tibetan singing bowls; his album, The Singing Bowls of Tibet, has sold over a million copies and has over eighteen thousand monthly listeners on Spotify.
Alain has built a significant collection of Tibetan art and ritual objects over nearly 60 years of researching, understanding and sharing his wealth of knowledge. His wife Sheila has shared his passion and supported the collection’s growth over their lifetime together.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of getting to know Alain and Sheila, and I am deeply grateful for the stories and knowledge he has shared with me. His passion for Tibetan culture and Buddhist art is truly inspiring, and his insights have enriched my own career in countless ways. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to present this remarkable collection, one that reflects an enduring commitment to preserving and sharing the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Tibetan and Buddhist art.
This single owner collection will be offered at Toovey’s across two auctions on the 10th of April and 26th of June 2025.
Thomas Rowsell