LONDON.- Bonhams announced the first of a series of sales from the Misumi Collection of Important Works of Lacquer Art and Paintings, on Wednesday 5 November 2014 at its headquarters, 101 New Bond Street, London.

The sale features a selection of masterpieces by Shibata Zeshin (1807–1891), an artist admired by Western collectors for over a century. Nine of these works were included in a comprehensive Zeshin exhibition held in 2012 at Tokyo’s acclaimed new Nezu Museum

Among the highlights is a very rare lacquer panel based on a Noh play, made in 1883 in imitation of Western paintings on canvas which were becoming widely known in Japan at the time. Executed in lavish silver on black lacquer with minute architectural details, it is estimated at £80,000–120,000.

The sale also includes examples of Zeshin’s much loved inrō (miniature medicine cases). One example, formerly in the legendary Vever and Greenfield Collections, is shaped as a rustic hut containing a box decorated with Shōki the Demon-queller in pursuit of his quarry. Famous among Zeshin enthusiasts the world over, this inrōis estimated at £60,000–80,000.

Another masterpiece, a box depicting the full moon and mare’s-tailplants exemplifying the teasing, sophisticated style of decoration called iki in Japan, is estimated at £15,000–20,000.

Zeshin’s skill as a painter is highlighted by a set of set of twelve poem-cards with designs for the twelve months in ink, colours, and gold on silk. Each painting takes a motif from a popular festival and wittily adapts it to the tall, narrow tanzaku format. The set is estimated at £20,000–30,000.

Suzannah Yip, Bonhams Director of Japanese Art, comments: “We are honoured to have been entrusted with the sale of this remarkable collection of lacquer and painting by an artist whose work is so admired both inside and outside Japan. This landmark sale underscores Bonhams status as the leading global auction house for truly important Japanese art.”