NEW YORK, NY.- Building on strong results from last March,
Bonhams presents a 322-lot Fine Japanese and Korean Works of Art auction on Sept. 14. The sale features a group of Meiji period masterpieces from the studios of Ando Jubei, Namikawa Yasuyuki, Namikawa Sosuke and Yabu Meizan, among others.
Bonhams is the only major auction house that will hold a dedicated Japanese and Korean art sale this season.
Bonhams will offer a fine selection of key works from Japanese and Korean masters in a continued effort to support collectors in these categories year round, said Director of Japanese Art Jeff Olson. By continually bringing a strong selection to the market, we hope to support both veteran and novice collectors, and emphasize the vibrancy and resilience of the Japanese and Korean art markets.
A fine cloisonné-enamel and partial plique-a-jour square bowl by Ando Jubei will be on the auction block (estimate U.S. $70,000-90,000). Decorated in the interior with a single crab in gold and silver wires, this bowl is a testament to Andos genius. He combined three different and highly-challenging techniques to create this extraordinary design. In addition to fine and decorative Japanese works, the auction also offers swords, armor and accouterments. Among the five select full suits of armor is a notable 18th century example built around a helmet (dated 1512) by renowned smith Myochin Nobuie (estimate U.S. $25,000-35,000).
For Korean art collectors, the sale features an attractive group of Buddhist sculptures, furniture, scholar objects and a fine selection of ceramics primarily from an important private collection. A large blue and white porcelain dragon jar from the Joseon dynasty stands nearly 21-inches tall (estimate U.S. $20,000-25,000).
Also on the auction block is Gidalim (Waiting) by Korean painter Park Sookeun (1914-1965), estimated at U.S. $150,000-250,000. Sookeun made everyday life in post-war Korea his main subject matter of his works. It is the celebration of a lost era in Korean history that may explain the great popularity of his work today, when such scenes evoke feelings of nostalgia among collectors. His body of work is thought to be quite small, perhaps no more than 400 paintings. His career was cut short by his premature death from cirrhosis of the liver at the age of 51 in 1965.
Other highlights include:
- A very fine and large cloisonne enamel vase, by Namikawa Sosuke (1847-1910), circa 1900; estimate U.S. $50,000-70,000
- A pair of wood sculptures of oni (demons), Muromachi period (1333-1573), 15th century or earlier; estimate U.S. $6,000-8,000
- A nagajuban kimono for a man, Taisho era (1912-1926), early 20th century; estimate U.S. $2,500-3,500
- A fine cloisonné-enamel vase, by Namikawa Yasuyuki (1845-1927), Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th century; estimate U.S. $30,000-50,000