Japan Galleries: 2009

Friday, December 25, 2009

KANNON - 観音

A Japanese depiction of the Buddhist deity Kannon in Kutani ceramics.
58cm tall. Pristine condition. Exquisitely beautiful.

Will be sorely missed. A personal favourite.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Thanks Jasmine

Thank you Jasmine. It was a pleasure to meet you and your family.

Please come back any time :) Hehe, it does look like a dog doesn't it?

It means good luck forever ;)

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Anime (animation) Cells (celluloid).
Anime is a shortened version of the word "animation" and is used to describe Japanese animated movies and television series. Traditionally these were made from a series of images painted onto transparent celluloid sheets by hand and then photographed frame by frame to produce a moving image. These days hand painted cells are used less and less frequently as digital techniques have simplified the process.

Japanese animation is popular worldwide and easily recognizabe by its unique style. Hand painted cells are prized collectibles and each one is a unique work of art. The price of an Anime Cell can vary from a few dollars up to hundreds of dollars depending on the artist, series, popularity, rarity and just plain "coolness" of the image. They often come with extra pencil sketches of the scene and background paintings too that I like to call "bonus material".

Friday, October 30, 2009

JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINTS: UKIYO-E - うきよえ - 浮世絵

Friday, October 16, 2009

NETSUKE 根付 - RESEARCH

GENERAL INFORMATION
"The International Netsuke Society is devoted to the study and collection of netsuke and related sagemono art forms."

http://www.netsuke.org/
See the FAQ and GLOSSARY

"Netsuke are miniature sculptures that were invented in 17th century Japan to serve a practical function."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netsuke

WHAT IS IVORY?

"Ivory is the teeth of animals. "True" ivory comes from elephants and mammoth; however, the term is generally applied to the tusks of other mammals, and some synthetics" [and even some some plants]
http://www.uniclectica.com/conserva/ivory1.html

"Elephant Ivory and Mammoth Ivory share a unique grain pattern known as Schreger Lines."

http://www.asianartmall.com/schreger-lines.htm

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

WOODBLOCK PRINT MASTERS IN OUR COLLECTION

Utagawa Kunimasa 歌川国政 1773-1810

Utagawa Kunisada 歌川国貞 1786-1865
Utagawa Toyokuni III 三代歌川豊国

Utagawa Kuniyoshi 歌川国芳 1797-1861

Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重? 1797-1858
Andō Hiroshige 安藤広重
Ichiyūsai Hiroshige 一幽斎廣重

Toyohara Kunichika 豊原国周 1835–1900

Chikanobu Toyohara 豊原周延 1838–1912

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi 月岡芳年 1839-1892

Imao Keinen ???? 1854-1924

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Kunimasa E-hon

Artist:
Utagawa Kunimasa
歌川国政
1773-1810

Age: 1800's

Size: 11.2cm x 17.5cm

Price: sold

Description: This is the centre panel of a triptych. The condition of this print is excellent and can stand alone as an excellent example of woodblock prints from the era. We have the panel to the right (see below) but unfortunately the panel to the left has been lost to the ages.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Kunisada E-hon

Artist:
KUNISADA
歌川国貞
(1786 - 1865)

Age: 1810's

Size: 12cm x 17.5cm

Price: $500 AU

Condition: Some restoration due to insect damage.

Description: Beautiful subject and detail.

It is important to note that Utagawa Kunisada and Toyokuni III (see previous post) are the same individual. Find out more about this artist here.