Two of the top lots in Bonhams' 2 March 19th Century European, Victorian and British Impressionist Art sale reflect a deep artistic fascination with Chinese cultural history.

With its brilliant colours and electric atmosphere, Un Théâtre à Pao Ting Fu by Georges Willaume (1876-c.1920), estimated at £40,000-60,000, is an exceptionally rare example of the French anarchist's artistic work.

Willaume was a left-wing political activist who became deeply involved with Étudiants Socialistes Révolutionnaires Internationalistes. He devoted most of his life to campaigning for workers' rights and producing politically-themed drawings for the covers of trade union manifestos. Un Théâtre à Pao Ting Fu is otherworldly in comparison with the political realism that dominated the majority of his oeuvre. Paintings by Willaume of any kind, in fact, are almost unheard of.

"It's impossible to look at Un Théâtre à Pao Ting Fu without gaining an overwhelming sense that Willaume was painting for pleasure," said Charles O'Brien, Bonhams Director of 19th Century Paintings. "The work is a celebration of culture filled with character and the bustle of social interaction. It is thought that Willaume had travelled extensively in China and I like to think that he is painting from memory and personal experience."

Interior of Ma Tso Kok Temple, Macau by a follower of Auguste Borget, the French artist famous for his beautiful paintings of China, is a further highlight of the sale. It is estimated at £40,000-60,000.

Dedicated to Matsu, the Goddess of seafarers and fishermen, the A-Ma temple was built in 1488 and is one of the oldest Taoist temples in Macau. In fact, it is thought to be what gave the region its name - Portuguese sailors landed near the temple when they first encountered the peninsula and were told they were in A-Ma-Gau, meaning the Bay of the Goddess A-Ma, which they in turn called 'Macau'.

On his travels through China, Borget described the temple as "the greatest marvel I have yet seen." The present lot, depicting the temple's famous 'moon gate' window, is a stunning representation of imperial splendour.

The 2 March sale, which will take place at Bonhams New Bond Street, London, also features work by Alfred Munnings, Henri Fantin-Latour and a painting by Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida that has not been seen in public for more than a century.