LONDON.- A rare, early 20th century table decoration of a fine silver carp will lead the Japanese Art Sale on Thursday 2 November at Bonhams New Bond Street. The life-sized carp, beautifully articulated and realistically rendered, is constructed of extremely smooth moving parts. The carp’s body can be curved, twisted and stretched, and the fins, mouth, and tail are all intricately detailed. It is being offered with an estimate of £30,000-40,000.

Suzannah Yip, Bonhams Department Director, Japanese Art commented, “This is an exceptional and very rare piece, the expertise and craftsmanship at play here are unsurpassed. Japan is admired as much for its design flair as it is for its skill in decorative techniques, and we are delighted to bring another strong selection to the market that illustrates the vibrancy and diversity of Japanese Art.”

The sale will feature an exceptional private collection of Netsuke including a wood Netsuke of a tiger by Naito Toyomasa (1773-1856), Tanba Province, Edo period (1615-1868), with an estimate of £15,000-20,000 and a Netsuke of a dromedary camel by Masakatsu, Yamada, Ise Province, Edo period (1615-1868), with an estimate of £8,000-10,000.

Meiji period masterpieces will also be showcased with the art of Japanese cloisonné enamelling from the studios of Ando Jubei, Namikawa Yasuyuki (1845-1927) and his unrelated namesake, Namikawa Sosuke of Tokyo (1847-1910), Komai Otojiro and Okamoto Ryoza. An exquisite example of Japanese cloisonné is exemplified in a Fine Pear-shape Cloisonné-Enamel Teapot and Cover by Namikawa Yasuyuki of Kyoto, Meiji era (1868-1912), circa 1890s. Intricately worked in silver and gold wire with an all-over design of two butterflies, it has an estimate of £8,000-10,000. The painstaking craft of maki-e, decoration with precious metal flakes and powders sprinkled onto lacquer, is represented by several dozen pieces dating from the 18th century to the pre-war period including a lustrous black-lacquer circular Suzuribako (box for writing utensils) and cover, Meiji era (1868-1912), with an estimate of £3,000-5,000.

The world of the samurai is represented too by blades and maedate (helmet forecrests),along with individual sword fittings that are miracles of miniature craftsmanship including an important set of Daisho Mitokoromono by Yanagawa Naomasa(1692-1757), comprising tsuba (hand guards), fuchi-gashira (matched hilt collars and pommels), and menuki (matched hilt grips) for a long sword and a short sword, Edo period (1615-1868),18th century, with an estimate of £15,000-20,000.

An edict of 1876 abolished the samurai class and its privileges, briefly depriving Japan’s artisans of their traditional patronage, but in no time at all, they were hard at work making high-quality goods for the global market.

Other highlights of the Japanese Art sale include:

• A silver-mounted black lacquer rectangular combined Suzuribako (box for writing utensils) and Ryoshibako (document box), Meiji era (1868-1912) by Kokusai Minga and after Kano Natsuo. Estimate: £30,000-40,000.

• Shoki and Oni by Kawanabe Kyosai, Meiji era, (1885-1889), with an estimate of £30,000-40,000, an album of eight small Urushi-e (lacquer paintings) Meiji era (1868-1912) by Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891), with an estimate of £25,000-30,000 and a hanging scroll painting by Kainosho Tadaoto (1894-1978), Yugesho (Evening Makeup),Showa era (1926-1989), circa 1929, with estimate of £8,000-10,000.

• A large lacquer rectangular coffer decorated with sword fittings in the style of Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891), Meiji era, late 19th, or early 20th century. Estimate: £25,000-30,000.

• An inlaid silver large footed bowl by Sekiguchi Chikutoshi (Shin'ya, 1877- circa 1932), Meiji (1868-1912) or Taisho era (1912-1926) circa 1910-1920. Estimate: £18,000-20,000.