Art/Auctions logo
Japanese & Korean Art
Featuring Arts of the Mejii Period
Christie's
September 15, 2010
Sale 2338

Christie's New York Fall Asian Art Week Totals $70.75 Million, 2nd Highest Total For Christies New York Asian Art Week. The Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Sale Totaled $34,115,000.
The Chinese Works of Art Sales, Including Archaic Bronzes from The Anthony Hardy Collection Totaled $55.5 Million, the Highest Total for a Series of Chinese Art Sales in New York

Mixed-metal, cloisonne-enamel and embossed foil vase

Lot 572, cloisonee enamel and embossed foil vase (ginbari), Meiji Period, circa 1900, sealed Takaski, 6 3/4 inches high


By Michele Leight and Carter B. Horsley

This auction of Japanese and Korean Art featuring Arts of the Meiji Period at Christie's September 15, 2010 is highlighted by numerous very fine screens, excellent samurai armor, some exquisite vases and a wonderful architectural model.

One of the most exquisite items in the auction is Lot 572, a Japanese cloisonne enamel and embossed foil vase (ginbari), Meiji Period, circa 1900.  It is 6 3/4 inches high and is sealed Takaski.  It has an estimate of $50,000 to $70,000.  The catalogue entry notes that "the first recorded use of transparent enamel over a decorated metal body, as here, dates from 1893, when two vases in the technique were made by the famous craftsman and entrepreneur Namikawa Sosuke...for the twenty-fifth wedding anniversary of the Emperor Meiji.  The anonymous enameller of this piece was undoubtedly influenced by Sosuke and shared his fondess for emulating the effects of ink painting and, especially, the depiction of half-submerged fish, a favorite theme of Japanese artists since the middle of the 18th century."  This one of a kind vase has an interesting provenance, reputedly purchased by Sir Charles Hamilton Bart (1845-1928), by descent to his daughter Maud, 3rd Baroness Donington, then by descent to the previous owner. It sold for $116,500.




Architectural model of the Yomeimon Gate of Toshogu Shrine in Nikko

Lot 609, architectural model of the Yomeimon Gate of Toshogu Shrine, Nikko, painted wood, paper, palster, metal and lacquer, 25 1/2 inches high, Meiji Period (19th Century)
Lot 609 is a superb and stunning Japanese architectural model of the Yomeimon Gate of Toshogu Shine, Nikko.  It has been consigned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  The 25 1/2-inch high model has an estimate of $15,000 to $20,000.  It sold for $17,500.
Detail of Lot 609

Detail of Lot 609

The catalogue notes that models of Buddhist temples and famous buildings were in vogue in Japan in the late 19th and early 20th century, "spearheaded by scholars anxcious to preserve and record  rapidly deteriorating Buddhist sites."


Wood altar attendant, left, and Scholar's Accoutrements screen

Lot 720, polychrome wood altar attendant, Joseon Dynasty, 19th Century, 20 inches high, left, and Lot 721, background, also Korean, an anonymous late 19th Century Scholar's accoutrements 8-panel screen, each panel 22 by 15 3/4 inches

Lot 720 is a charming Korean polychrome wood altar attendant.  It is 20 inches high and is from the Joseon Dynasty in the 19th Century.  It has an estimate of $10,000 to $15,000.  It sold for $35,000.
Lot 721 is an anonymous 8-panel screen of Scholar's accoutrements.  Each panel measures 22 by 15 3/4 inches.  The late 19th Century screen has an estimate of $20,000 to $30,000. It sold for $15,000.


Anonymous 8-panel screen of royal banquet

Lot 728, 8-panel screen, anonymous, Joseon Dynasty, July, 1901, "Royal Banquet for the Celebration of the 50th Birthday of the Emperor Gojong," each panel 59 by 19 1/8 inches
Lot 728 is a richly detailed 8-panel anonymous Korean screen from Joseon Dynasty, July, 1901 depicting the "Royal Banquet for the Celebration of the 50th Birthday of the Emperor Gojong."  Each panel measures 59 by 19 1/8 inches  The screen, which was the back-cover illustration of the catalogue, has an estimate of $300,000 to $350,000.  Emperor Gojong (1852-1919) is a hero of Korean nationalism and worked to promote Korean independence from China and Japan.  He was the 26th king of the Joseon Dynasty and took the throne as a child.  The lot sold for $842,500.
Set of hanging scrolls on the Life of monk Shinran

Lot 533, "Life of monk Shinran," anonymous, 17th Century, four hanging scrolls, each 52 1/4 by 30 1/2 inches
Lot 533 is an attractive set of four 17th Century Japanese hanging scrolls depicting the "Life of monk Shinran. The anonymous scrolls each measures 52 14 by 30 1/2 inches and have an estimate of $50,000 to $70,000.  Shinran (1173-1263) founded the popular Jodo Shin, or True Pure Land sect of Japanese Buddhism.  He entered the monastic life at 11.  The lot sold for $35,000.

Pair of six-panel screens of the Sotatsu School

Lot 540, pair of 6-panel screens of Chrysanthemums, Sotatsu School, 17th Century, 58 1/8 by 135 7/8  inches
Lot 540 is a quite lyrical and glorious pair of 6-panel screens of Chrysanthemums of the Sotatsu School.  The 17th Century work measures 58 1/8 by 135 7/8 inches.  The work was once in the Manno Art Museum in Osaka, Japan.  The lot has an estimate of $80,000 to $100,000.  The lot passed.

6-panel screen of Kiyomizu Temple

Lot 542A, "Kiyomizu Temple," anonymous, 17th Century, 6-panel screen, 48 1/2 by 106 inches

Lot 542A is a fine anonymous Japanese 17th Century 6-panel screen of "Kiyomizu Temple."  It measures 48 1/2  by 106 inches.  It has an estimate of $30,000 to $50,000.  It sold for $37,500.

"In and around the capital" 6-panel screen

Lot 544, "In and around the capital (Rakuchu-rakugai zu)," anonyous, 18th Century, six-panel screen,41 3/4 by 103 5/8 inches

Lot 544 is a fine 6-panel, 18th Century anonymous screen.  It is entitled 'in an around the capital."  It measures 41 3/4 by 103 5/8 inches.  It has an estimate of $15,000 to $20,000. The lot passed.
Two panel screen of "Flowers of the Four Seasons"

Lot 550, "Flowers of the four seasons," 2-panel screen, 19th Century, bearing signature Hokkyo Korin, bearing seal Hoshuku, 61 3/4 by 63 1/4 inches
One of the most beautiful Japanese screens in the auction is Lot 550, "Flowers of the four seasons."  The 2-panel screen measures 61 3/4 by 63 1/4 inches and bears the signature Hokkyo Korin and the seal Hoshuku.  It has a modest estimate of $8,000 to $10,000.  The lot sold for $5,000.

"Lovers beneath cherry blossoms" screen

Lot 542, "Lovers Beneath Cherry Blossoms," two panel screen, anonymous, 17th Century, 60 5/8 by 69 1/4 inches

Lot 542 is a dark but exquisite two panel screen entitled "Lovers Beneath Cherry Blossoms."  The 17th Century Japanese work looks like it would nicely complement the Whistlers at the Freer Gallery in Washington.  It is anonymous and measures 60 5/8 by 69 1/4 inches.  It has an estimate of $60,000 to $80,000.  The catalogue notes that "the large scale of the figures is unusual and is found only in a small group of seventeenth-century genre screens depicting scenes of pleasures," adding that "the costumes are lavish and dazzling in color and decorative techniques."  The lot passed.
A lacquer book cabinet, Meiji Period

Lot 607, a Lacquer book cabinet (shodana), Meiji Period (late 19th Century), signed Heian Zohiko Sakuse, Zohiko Company, Kyoto, 49 by 54 3/4 by 18 1/2 inches

Lot 607 is a stunning Lacquer book cabinet (shodana) of the Meiji Period (late 19th Century).  It is signed Heian Zohiko Sakuse, Zohiko Company, Kyoto.  
Detail of Lot 607

Detail of Lot 607

It measures 49 by 54 3/4 by 18 1/2 inches.  It has an estimate of $350,000 to $450,000.  The catalogue notes that "the Zohiko lineage dates from the tie of the Kyoto lacquer craftsman Nishimura Munetada (1720-1773), who acquired the nickname 'elephant boy' (Zohiko) for his lacquer image of the deity Fugen (Samantabhadra) on an elephant mount."  The entry also states that "the elaborate decoration of the bookcase evokes the classical noel of court life, Lady Murasaki's "Tale of Genji."  Sadly, the lot was passed. It is a museum quality piece.
Porcelain model of a Chinese lion
Lot 517, Porcelain model of a Chinese Lion (shishi), Hizen ware, Kakiemon style, Edo Period (late17th Century), 8 1/8 inches high

One of the cutest and most colorful objects in the auction is Lot 517, a porcelain model of a Chinese Lion (shishi), Hizen ware, Kakiemon style, Edo Period (late 17th Century).  It is 8 1/8 inches high and has an estimate of $30,000 to $35,000.  It sold for $35,000.
Pair of silver and gilt presentation vases

Lot 630, pair of silver and gilt presentation vases, Meiji Period (late 19th Century), signed Yukawa Hozan Kinkoku, sealed Jungin, 14 3/8 inches high

Lot 6309 is a dazzling pair of Japanese silver and gilt presentation vases, Meiji Period (late 19th Century), signed Yukawa Hozan Kinkoku.  They are 14 3/8 inches high and have an estimate of $50,000 to $70,000.   It sold for $62,500.

Mask past of horse armor set

Lot 569, mask (bamen) that is part of a horse armor set including stirrups, Edo Period, 18th-19th Century, 21 1/2 inches long

Lot 569 is a group of horse armor that includes a mask (bamen) from the Edo Period, 18th-19th Century.  It is 21 1/2 inches long and the catalogue notes that is it modeled as a dragon's head built up with lacquered and gilt papier mache, the overall survace in gold-textured lacquer. The lot has an estimate of $15,000 to $20,000.  The lot sold for $43,750.

Japanese armor

Lots 561-568, Japanese suits of armor, Edo Period

Josokawa clan purple-laced Nimai-Do Gusoku armor

Lot 568 A, Hosokawa clan purple-laced Nimai-Do gusoku armor, Edo Period
The most spectacular of the suits of armor is Lot 568A, a Hosokawa clan purple-laced Nimai-Do Gusoku armor from the Edo Period.  The lot has an estimate of $100,000 to $150,000.  It was passed.

The catalogue provides the following commentary:

"The armor with a sixty-two plate black-lacquered suji-bachi helmet with five-tier shikoro (neckguard) of kittsuke kozane with large fukigaeshi each with applied kuyo mon (none stars rest), gilt-wood maedate (forecrest) in the form of antlers and a horned demon mask, the mabisashi (peak) and fukigaeshi with gilt fukurin (edging), the mabisashi with kuo mon in lacquer, both mabisashi and shidoro fixed with kuo mon-headed rivets the hahimanza of brass and shauko the hanmen (lower facemask) with detachable nose of black-laquered eather, with nodokake of kittsuke kozane, the nimai-do (two-piece cuirass) of combined iyo honkozane and kittsuke kozane the munaita (upper part) of brown-lacquered leather with silver and gold lacquer kuo mon, the same mon repeated on the sei-ita (uipper back piece) and waki-ita (underarm pieces), the front with a prominent finely worked gilt repousse dragon applied to a shakudo-rimmed leather panel, the kusazuri (skirt) of seven tassets each of five tiers of kittsukezane, hyotan-gote (sleeves), tekko (hand covers) with hanabishi (floral lozenges) an gilt kuo mon,six-tier sode (shoulder guards) of kittsuke zane, haidate (thigh protector) of black-lacquered rectangular scales with gold-lacquered kuo mon, and with black-lacquered shino suneate (leg-guards), the armor with red-lacquered wood boxes with black-leather covers also having the kuo mon of the Hosokawa clan, the maedate with its box dated the fourth year of the Amseoi era (1857) and with the  maker's name, Endo...."

Hineno-style helmet (kabuto)

Lot 557, Hineno-style helmet (Kabuto), Edo Period

Lot 557 is a orange Hineno-style helmet (Kabuto) from the Edo Period  It has a estimate of $3,000 to $4,000.  It sold for $4,750.

A lacquer saddle, Edo Period

Lot 559, a Lacquer saddle, Edo Period, 17 inches long

Lot 559 is a Edo Period Lacquer saddle that is 17 inches long.  It has an estimate of $7,000 to $9,000.  It sold for $8,125.

Reticulated gilt-bronze hanging lantern

Lot 539, "massive" reticulated gilt-bronze hanging lantern, 21 1/4 inches high, Momoyama Period (Late 16th-Early 17th Century)

Lot 539 is a "massive" hexagonal reticulated gilt-bronze hanging lantern from the Momoyama Period (Late 16th-Early 17th Century).  It is 21 1/4 inches high  It has an estimate of $300,000 to $400,000.  It passed.
"Bo"by Fukami Sueharu

Lot 681, "Bo," by Fukami Sueharu, celadon glazed porcelain, 51 1/2 inches long, 1990, numbered1/5

One of the most striking works in the auction is Lot 681 an abstract celadon glazed porcelain sculpture entitled "Bo" by Fukami Sueharu (b . 1947).  The work was created in 1990 and is 51 1/2 inches long and is numbered 1/5.  It has an estimate of $20,000 to $30,000.  It sold for $27,500.


Use the Search Box below to quickly look up articles at this site on specific artists, architects, authors, buildings and other subjects

 

 

 

 

Home Page of The City Review