The Chinese and Asian Art Forum. For Fans, Collectors and Dealers.
Basic Rules For the BidAmount Asian Art Forum: Talk about whatever you want. You can even discuss and offer things that are for sale if they are authentic. Maximum image file size per post is 2 MB. Images of 700pxl x 700pxl are optimal if saved at a medium resolution. Be respectful of others and enjoy yourself. Click the YouTube link for a brief tutorial on using the forum. You can also EMBED Videos by cutting and pasting from You-Tube, Vimeo etc.
NOTE: To post an item or add a new post, click open the category title from the FORUM LIST, and CLICK the Blue ADD TOPIC button.
I know most of us on this Forum focus on porcelains, but there have been a few posts on Japanese woodblock prints as of late (Jeremy posted some great Shin Hanga prints - I'm still quite envious of the Shoson raven print), so I thought it appropriate to tell you of how my failed attempt to buy some Chinese antiques at an estate sale in Orlando turned into a discovery that may very well prove a well supported (and important) theory on the Shin Hanga woodblock print artist, Takahashi Shotei.
So, regarding the estate sale in Orlando, the advertisment showed a rather nice Chinese elephant censor, a rosewood box with jade inlay, a porcelain seated buddha, and a few other odds and ends that would have ended up being quite a good day's catch.
In typical fashion, I always contact the seller to ask if they presell, not expecting that they will offer me the opportunity to buy early, but rather to guage if the seller will honestly sell what they show in the photos. The city of Orlando is about 2 hours drive, not much for me really, but long enough that I wouldn't waste my time or the gas to drive down if the seller replied that items might be pulled from the sale.
Despite several emails and text messages, the seller refused to respond, and since the opportunity to acquire at least one of the pieces seemed likely, my wife and I made the trip to Orlando anyway. We ended up being #2 and #3 on the entry list, but better yet, good fortune seemed to shine on us the day of the sale when #1 never showed.
However, our luck was short lived. The sale started and we entered the house to find the elephant censer was damaged and all the other pieces were pulled from the sale - pre sold to friends of the seller. To make matters worse, while items in the sale are generally clearly marked with their sale prices, the seller started raising prices on the items that I showed interest in buying (that was a first in 10 years of going to estate sales). Seemed to me she was absoutely set on not selling me anything.
Before I completely lost me temper, we left with our dignity, but empty handed, and needless to say I was really annoyed. And while my negativity had me wanting to just go home, I persevered, stopping to check out small antique shops along the way home.
Now, perhaps it was just my pessimism keeping me from enjoying the hunt, but Florida summer heat really makes hunting for antiques miserable and I was quite certain my efforts were being wasted. But then, a rather glorious miracle.
In the very small country town of Umatilla Florida is an old barn that has been converted into an antique mall. It's more of a multi-dealer vintage thrift shop, but as the saying goes....even a broken clock is right twice a day.
And after booth after booth of 'rusty gold', there on the wall of one booth hung a rectangular framed Japanese picture, a night scene of people carrying a lantern through the woods as they came upon a bridge.....BINGO! A shin hanga woodblock print by the artist Takahashi Shotei, or so I thought.
Better yet, the price required absolutely no haggling... I couln't have paid more quickly if I tried.
But upon arriving home, and after examining the work outside of the frame, I have discoved the print is not a print, but an original painting on silk. And better yet, the painting is not just one of tens of thousands Shotei made into the mid 20th c., but a particularly rare scene he created around 1907 in his earliest period (prior to the Kanto earthquake in 1923 that destroyed most of his early works).
The scene is so rare that the only known example is in the Ota-ku Folk Museum, Tokyo. Only the museum's example is a woodblock print.... and mine is the original painting! HOW ABOUT THEM APPLES!?!
Even more interesting is that the painting carries two square red seals that read 'Kakei' rather than the seal 'Shotei'. For the past decade, Kakei has been assumed to the a pen name for Shotei (according to research by Shotei expert Marc Khan), but just a well accepted theory. The theory is based upon the general style of works by both Kakei and Shotei being stylistically so similar. However, there has never been any concrete physical documentation to establish the theory as fact.
Well, the scene of my painting in woodblock form at the Ota-ku Folkl Museum is sealed 'Shotei', but my orignal painting is sealed 'Kakei'. Consequently, my painting provides physical evidence linking the two artist names to the same work - proof positive they are one and the same person.
I've already reached out to Marc Khan to share my discovery, and likely will contact the Ota-ku Folk Museum as I expect they will have an interest seeing the painting, if not acquiring it.
So, while I'm still waiting to hear back from Marc, and the next steps will likely require some physcial inpsection of the painting, I wanted to share with all of you a side by side image of my original painting (left side) and the woodblock print at the Ota-ku Folk Museum (right side).
My appologies for the low resolution -I wish I could provide you all with a large high resolution photo, but unfortunately the only photo from the museum was very small, so I tried to keep the scale of both works equal.
So, perhaps this find will not turn into the lucrative deal I had hoped with the Chinese pieces I intended to buy in Orlando, I feel confident that the discovery of this painting will add some historical value to the field of Shin Hanga woodblock prints, as well as the understanding of an under appreciated master, Shotei.
Enjoy!
Congrats. Beautiful find. It's a shame that that estate company is doing that sort of thing.
@rahawkins The market on genuine Chinese antiques is just too competitive. I know dealers that when they can't make it to a sale, they'll call and leave a ridiculous offer with no intention to pay, just to spoil the sale. It's crazy. I think this will be my last year of running around to go to these out of control events - it's just too stressful.
I usually like the Japanese stuff more anyway. The Chinese stuff that I am able to include on my budget that I still think are worth owning is a small group.
When on the hunt sometimes you get a different prey. However, seldom is the prey a greater find! Well done!
David
Sounds like your day went from bad to fantastic. How exciting! Let us know how it all progresses.
@greeno107 I have mentioned the competitiveness of the market. It’s really a low. But a skill treasure hunting adapts. I find going to sales without Chinese art listed is very productive there is alway one piece not listed.
@lotusblack @musicnus Brian & David, you're absolutely right! You have to be ready to think on your toes, maybe even sprint, to get the job done. I just wanted to convey in my tale to those who might have felt like I had that day (frustrated and hopeless...that there might not be anymore good treasures to find), that dissapointment eventually leads to success if you just keep at it using good methods.
What I also hoped to convey with my story is that this business of searching for lost treasures is 90% dissapointment. To find that 10% reward, you have two choices...passive searching and pro-active searching, and it is a balancing act.
By passive searching, what I mean is that you browse Ebay, Craigslist, or whatever venue lists items for sale, and hopefully (eventually) somebody puts an item of value up for sale, then you pounce. It's not entirely passive since you have to browse a lot of ads, but sitting in my chair for hours drinking coffee as I browse Craigslist is as close as I get to 'passive' activity.
By pro-active searching, what I mean is to get in your car, set a destination (shop, show, estate sale), and go for the adventure. There's a lot more expense of time and money in this type of treasure hunting, but it can be the most fun.
When my wife and I travel on these treasure hunting trips, we really go on the cheap until we get our first hit - we bring a cooler full of ice, water and soda, cold cuts for sandwiches, and snacks. But once we hit our mark and find our first real treasure, we usually celebrate over roast duck (if there's a good Chinese market that sells authentic roast duck) or a steak & seafood dinner if duck is not available.
Anyway...before I start sounding too mushy over my love of the hunt, let me just say that, YES, the Shin hanga painting made the trip.
And, if any of you start to feel down and out as I had, don't hesitate to post (whether or not you turned things at the end). Your positivity (is that a word?) really helped me.
It really means a lot to have the support of so many of you (none of which I've met in person BTW).... I hope to repay the kindness.
Tim
What a very nice find! That painting has an eerie beauty to it, I love it! It's awesome that you actually got the original!!!
I agree with you that we should keep persevering with our treasure hunts. You can't expect to have good days all the time!
Clifford
Latest Post: This dish with dragons has issues but I'm curious about 2x 5 clawed dragons chased by 2x 3 clawed dragons. Our newest member: Mae Naylor Recent Posts Unread Posts
Thanks for visiting "The BidAmount Asian Art Forum | Chinese Art"
If you sell on eBay, or have a shop feel free to post images and descriptions and links.
Check back often for discussion about the latest news in the Chinese art and antique world. Also find out about the latest Asian art auctions at Sotheby's, Christie's, Bonhams and Tajans.
Auction results for: fine porcelain, ceramics, bronze, jade, textiles and scholar's objects. As well as Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese and other Asian cultures.
Thank you,
Peter Combs
Topics and categories on The BidAmount Asian Art Forum | Chinese Art
Kangxi vases, Kangxi dishes and chargers, Kangxi ritual pieces, Kangxi scholar's objects, Qianlong famille rose, Qianlong enamels, Qianlong period paintings, Qianlong Emporer's court, Fine porcelain of the Yongzheng period. Chinese imperial art, Ming porcelain including Jiajing, Wanli, Xuande, Chenghua as well as Ming jades and bronzes.
Join the BidAmount Chinese and Asian art discussion board and forum today
The BidAmount Asian Art Forum | Chinese Art
A free Asian art discussion board and Asian art message board for dealers and collectors of art and antiques from China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and the rest of Asia. Linked to all of the BidAmount Asian art reference areas, with videos from plcombs Asian Art and Bidamount on YouTube. Sign up also for the weekly BidAmount newsletter and catalogs of active eBay listing of Chinese porcelain, bronze, jades, robes, and paintings.
The art of calligraphy - and for the ancient Chinese it certainly was an art - aimed to demonstrate superior control and skill using brush and ink. Calligraphy established itself as one of the major Chinese art forms during the Han dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE), and for two millennia after, all educated men were expected to be proficient at it.
The Museum’s collections of Asian art span nearly five millennia and encompass the cultures of China, the Himalayas, India, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia. In 2007, the Museum launched an initiative to create dedicated galleries for the collection, beginning with a gallery for the arts of Korea ...
Chinese art is full of symbolism, in that artists typically seek to depict some aspect of a totality of which they are intuitively aware.
China Online Museum is the finest online museum of Chinese art. It features Chinese calligraphy, painting, ceramics, bronzes, carving, and other artworks.
Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art. Overview Upcoming auctions Contacts Auction results ... Christie’s sales of Chinese ceramics and works of art showcase centuries of Chinese history. Held throughout the year in London, New York, Paris and Hong Kong, they attract a wide audience of collectors and connoisseurs vying for pieces as diverse as ...
Explore Asian Art Week. Contact the Specialist Department. Chinese Paintings ... Senior Specialist, Head of Sale. [email protected]. Tel:+1 212 641 5760. Bid in-person or online for the upcoming auction:Fine Chinese Paintings on 10 September 2019 at New York. Bid in-person or online for the upcoming auction:Fine Chinese Paintings on 10 ...
Discover an abundance of must-see art from all corners of a vast continent at Christie’s NY Asian Art Week. From contemporary classical and Chinese paintings to works with exemplary provenance from the Art Institute of Chicago, our Rockefeller Paza galleries will be full of ancient treasures and contemporary masterworks in a salute to the vibrant arts of Asia.
Sold to benefit The Art Institute of Chicago’s Asian Art Acquisition Fund, the sale features 84 lots with a focus on Ming and Qing porcelains, and offers a rare insight into the taste for collecting Chinese ceramics and works of art in the Midwest from the end of the 19th century through the 1980s. Highlights include two Wanli wucai garlic-head vases, a Qianlong mark and period, blue and ...
Specialist, Chinese Paintings, Christie's London Dr Malcolm McNeill is a Specialist in Chinese Paintings at Christie’s, based in London. He previously worked as an assistant curator of the Chinese collections and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, as a researcher at the British Museum, and as a translator and tour guide at the National Palace Museum in Taipei.
The Christie's Education 2020 Conference: The Chinese Art Market 18 Jun 2019 Christie’s Education is delighted to announce our first international academic conference in Asia which will take place in Hong Kong from 26-27 November 2020 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and will run in parallel with Christie’s Hong Kong Autumn Auctions.
The summer Chinese Art sale in Hong Kong will feature works of art from several private collections, including Qing porcelains and textile from the collection of the legendary Chinese art dealer A. W. Bahr (1877–1959), fine gilt bronze Buddhist sculptures from an old Hong Kong collection, an East Asian collection of Qing dynasty wine cups and jades, and a Japanese collection of Song ceramics ...
Sotheby's Chinese Works of Art Department holds two auctions each year in London, New York, Hong Kong and Paris.
Chinese Art - View Auction details, bid, buy and collect the various artworks at Sothebys Art Auction House.
With more than 340 Chinese works of art dating from the Neolithic to the Republic periods, highlights of this sale include a selection of Qing Imperial monochromes from the collection of Arnold and Blema Steinberg, early ceramics from the Art Institute of Chicago and Chinese porcelain and works of art from the collection of Henry Arnhold.
Results: Sotheby's Asia Week achieved $52.4 million in six strong auctions, exceeding pre-sale estimates. With 76.5% of lots sold and 60.3% of lots surpassing high estimates, the Asian art sales at Sotheby's indicate continued collector interest in the finest works of art from China, India and and the Himalayas.
Today's sale of Important Chinese Art will proceed as planned with sessions at 10 AM and 2 PM EDT. Sotheby's will be monitoring the weather conditions throughout the day and will be available to coordinate alternative bidding options should conditions make it difficult for clients to attend the auction in person.
Bonhams Chinese Art department is renowned for offering the finest works of art representing the richness and breadth of China's artistic heritage, particularly Imperial porcelain, white and spinach green jades, cloisonné and Buddhist art. Specialised international auctions are held globally, including London, Hong Kong and San Francisco.
Bonhams : Chinese Works of Art We use cookies to remember choices you make on functionality and personal features to enhance your experience to our site. By continuing to use our site you consent to the use of cookies. Please refer to our privacy and cookie policies for more information.
Bonhams Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers: auctioneers of art, pictures, collectables and motor cars. We use cookies to remember choices you make on functionality and personal features to enhance your experience to our site. By continuing to use our site you consent to the use of cookies. ... Chinese Art (US) General enquiries
Bonhams : Fine Chinese Art We use cookies to remember choices you make on functionality and personal features to enhance your experience to our site. By continuing to use our site you consent to the use of cookies. Please refer to our privacy and cookie policies for more information.
Bonhams Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers: auctioneers of art, pictures, collectables and motor cars Bonhams : Asian Art We use cookies to remember choices you make on functionality and personal features to enhance your experience to our site.
Bonhams are international auctioneers of fine Chinese and Japanese art. We specialise in rare Imperial and Export Chinese ceramics and works of art, as well as Japanese ceramics, fine and decorative works of art from the Neolithic Period to the 20th century. View on map
Bonhams Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers: auctioneers of art, pictures, collectables and motor cars. We use cookies to remember choices you make on functionality and personal features to enhance your experience to our site. By continuing to use our site you consent to the use of cookies. ... Asian Art Bonhams. Work. 22 Queen St.