Detail of top of Lot 644
It has a very modest estimate of $80,000 to $120,000. It failed to sell.
Lot 670, an Elaborate Large Bronze and mixed-metal hanging vase, Meji Period, late 19th Century, signed Kaso Token Kanagu Chorushi Shoami Doki Kyudai No Mago Shoami Katsuyoshi Sen (carved by Shoami Katsuyoshi), 50 inches long
Lot 670 is a sensational bronze and mixed-metal hanging vase in the shape of a gourd with a snake pursuing a mouse, Meji Period, Late 19th Century. It is signed Kaso Token Kanagu Chorushi Shoami Doki Kyudai No Mago Shoami Katsuyoshi Sen (carved by Shoami Katsuyoshi (1831-1910), the ninth generation descendant of Shoami Doki. The lot is the cover illustration of the auction catalogue. It has an estimate of $300,000 to $400,000. It sold for $339,750.
After the auction, Katsura Yamaguchi, international director of Japanese and Korean Art for Christie's, said that "a diverse group of buyers actively competed for works from the Meiji period, with the handing gourd vase leading the Japanese portion of the sale," adding that "the selection of prints from the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, as well as screens and lacquer works also performed strongly." Of the 283 offered lots, 174, or 62 percent, sold for a total of $5,811,438.
Lot 687, cloissoné vase, Meji Period (late 19th Century), signed workshop of Namikawa Yasuyuki, 12 1/4 inches high
Perhaps the loveliest amd most glorious work in the auction is Lot 687, a cloissoné vase signed workshop of Namikawa Yasuyuki. It is 12 1/4 inches high. Namikawa represented Japan at numerous international exhibitions, winning prizes at the 1876 International Exhibition in Philadelphia and the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1900. The lot has a modest estimate of $50,000 to $60,000. It sold for $225,750.
Lot 646, Eccentrically shaped helmet (KawariKabuto) and a face mask, Edo Period (18th Century)
Lot 646 is a marvelously "eccentrically shaped" helmet from the Edo Period (18th Century) and a face mask. The leather helmet has been lacquered black to resemble a rhincerous horn. It has a modest estimate of $3,000 to $4,000. It sold for $5,250.
Lot 572, "Nomi no Sukene and Taima no Kehaya wrestling," by Kawanabe Kyosai, two panel screen, ink and color on paper, 58 3/4 by 57 1/2 inches each
Lot 572 is a very bold and dramatic two-panel screen by Kawanabe Kyosai (1831-1889) of "Nomi no Sukene and Taima no Kehaya wrestling." The screens are each58 3/4 by 57 1/2 inches. The lot has an estimate of $60,000 to $80,000. It failed to sell.
Lot 561, "Uji Bridge with Willows and Water Wheel," anonymous, pair of six-panel screens, ink, color, gold and gold leaf on paper, 59 by 141 1/2 inches each
Lot 561 is an impressive pair of six-panel screens depicting "Uji Bridge with Willows and Water Wheel." An anonymous work from the 18th Century, the screens each measures 59 by 141 1/2 inches. The lot has an estimate of $100,000 to $150,000. It sold for $123,750.
Lot 559, "Pine trees and cranes," by Yokoyama Taikan, pair of six-panel screens, ink, color and gold and gold leaf on paper, 67 by 151 1/8 inches each
Lot 559 is a lovely large screen by Yokoyama Taikan I1868-1958) entitled "Pine Trees and cranes." It is a pair of six-panel screens, painting with ink, color and gold and gold leaf on paper and each screen measures 67 by 151 1/8 inches. It ha an estimate of %150,000 to $200,000. It sold for $267,750.
Lot
518, "Pictures of the Seasons," by Sakai Hoitsu, eleven hanging
scrolls, ink, color and gold on silk, 24 1/2 by 12 1/2 inches each
One of the auction's loveliest lots is Lot 518, a series of eleven hanging scrolls depicting the seasons by Sakai Hoitsu (1761-1828). The scrolls are ink, color and gold on silk and each measures 24 1/2 by 12 1/2 inches.
Detail of Lot 627, "Sparrow and Rabbits Celebrating New Year's," by Shibata Zeshin, hanging scroll, ink and color on silk, 34 by 12 1/4 inches
Lot 627 is an amusing hanging scroll of "Sparrow and Rabbits Celebrating New Year's," by Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891). It measures 34 by 12 1/4 inches. It has an estimate of $8,000 to $10,000. It sold for $13,750.
Lot 624, "Grasshopper," by Shibata Zeshin, hanging scroll, lacquer of paper, 5 1/8 by 3 3/4 inches
Lot 624 is a nice hanging scroll of a grasshopper by Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891). It measures 5 1/8 by 3 3/4 inches. It has an estimate of $2,000 to $3,000. It failed to sell.
Lot 585, four-case lacquer inro, Edo Period (19th Century), signed Jokasai, 3 1/8 inches long
Lot 585 is a very nice four-case lacquer inro, signed Jokasai from the Edo Period (19th Century). It is 3 1/8 inches long. It has an estimate of $2,000 to $3,000. It failed to sell.
Lot 589, five-case lacquer inro, Edo Period (19th Century), 3 3/4 inches long
Lot 589 is a nice five-case lacquer inro from the Edo Period (19th Century. It is 3 3/4 inches long. It has an estimate of $2,000 to $3,000. It sold for $2,500.
Lot 584, four case lacquer inro, Edo Period (late 18th Century-Early 19th Century, signed Koma Yasutada Saku, 3 5/8 inches long
Lot 584 is a very nice four case lacquere inro from the Edo Period (late 18th Century-Early 19th Century) that is signed Koma Yasutada Saku. It is 3 5/8 inches long. It has an estimate of $1,500 to $2,000. It failed to sell.Korean Art
Lot 761, Rare massive white porcelain jar, Joseon Dynasty (18th Century), 22 inches high
Lot 761 is a rare massive white porcelain jar, Joseon Dynasty (18th Century). It is 22 inches high andwas the back cover illustration of the auction catalogue. It has an estimate of request. It sold for $1,203,750.
Lot 769, Large blue and white jar, Joseon Dynasty, 18th-19th century, 15 3/4 inches high
Lot 769 is a large blue and white jar form the JoseonDynasty, 18th-19th Century. It is 15 3/4 inches high. It has an estimate of $350,000 to $450,000. It failed to sell.
Lot 760, porcelain waterdropper in the form of a peach, Joseon Dynasty (19th Century), 5 1/4 inches high
Lot 760 is a very nice porcelain waterdropper in the form of a peach from the Joseon Dynasty (19th Century). It is 5 1/4 inches high. It has an estimate of$30,000 to $40,000. It sold for $32,500.
Lot 755, inlaid celadon stoneware ewer with figure panels, Goryeo Dynasty (12th Century), 9 inches high
Lot 755 is an exquisite inlaid celadon stoneware ewer with figure panels from the Goryeo Dynasty (12th century). It is 9 inches high. The lot has an estimate of $200,000 to $250,000. It failed to sell.
Lot 781, "Moon and Plum Blossom," by Kim Whanki, oil on canvas, 36 by 24 inches, 1933-4
Lot 781 is a good oil on canvas by Kim Whanki (1913-1974). Entitled "Moon and Plum Blossom," it measures 36 by 24 inches and was painted in 1933-4. In 1964, he had a solo exhibition at Asia House in New York. It has an estimate of $350,000 to $400,000. It sold for $663,750.
Lot 788, "Five Seated Figures,"by Park Sookeun, mixed media on board, 7 1/2 by 12 1/4 inches
Lot 788 is a small mixed media on board by Park Sookeun (1914-1965). Entitled "Five Seated Figures," it measures 7 /2 by 12 1/4 inches. It has an estimate of $400,000 to $500,000. It sold for $711,750.
See The City Review article on the Spring 2012 Japanese Art auction at Christie's New York
See The City Review article on the Fall 2011 Japanese Art auction at Christie's New York
See The City Review article on the Fall 2010 Japanese Art auction at Christie's New York