4 November at 10.30 am and 2pm at Christie's South Kensington - The world of Japan is brought to London once again, as part of the Christie's events for Asia Week in London, with estimates ranging from £500 to £50,000. The South Kensington sale on Thursday, 4 November presents a wonderful selection of over 200 lots of netsuke, which features two private collections, including The Edward and Marilyn Flower Collection Part I (Part 2 to be offered at Christie’s in May 2010). In addition to forming their netsuke collection, the Flowers are leading collectors of English majolica and American prints. Edward Flower is the general counsel and on the board of directors of the International Netsuke Kenkyukai Society. This superb collection was formed over a period of forty years - beginning in the 1960's. Amongst the treasures offered is an 18thcentury wood netsuke of the King of the East wearing an octopus crown, Edo Period (estimate: £4,000-6,000) illustrated left and a charming wood netsuke of turtles in a bamboo basket, signed Tadakazu, Edo Period (18th - 19th century) (estimate: £4,000-6,000).
Elsewhere, there is a fine group of inro dating from the 18th to late 19th centuries, with highlights from the Meiji Period (late 19th century), such as an impressive three-case inro decorated in shibayama style (estimate: £7,000-9,000) illustrated right, as well as a fine four-case inro, decorated in various coloured ivory, cowhorn and mother-of-pearl inlays, signed Nakayama (estimate: £3,000-5,000). A very interesting group of swords are offered from two private collections, led by a very fine handachi daisho, signed Shinpu Jonan (ni) Oite Shunkosai Yoshitaka, Edo period (19th century) (estimate: £4,000-5,000).
Amongst the wide array of wonderful prints, books and paintings are works from The Illing Collection, including the dramatic Kuniyoshi (1798-1861) print Soma no furudairi ai Masakado himegimi Takiyasha yojutsu o motte mikata o atsumuru [In the Ruined Palace at Soma…] (estimate: £4,000-6,000) and also an oban tate-e album containing the complete set of the series Ryokujuyoshu meisho zue [Pictures of Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces] by Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) (estimate: £40,000-50,000), illustrated left. Other works of art include a rare Kakiemon figure of a bijin, Edo Period (late 17th century) (estimate: £10,000-15,000) and a magnificent, very rare ivory okimono [sculptural ornament] of a high-ranking samurai wearing an o-yoroi style armour, signed Yoshida Yoshiaki and Kao, Meiji Period (late 19th century).
Public Viewing:
• Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art on 3 November at King Street:
Between 30 0ctober and 2 November
• Japanese Art & Design on 4 November at South Kensington:
Between 31 October and 3 November
• Chinese Ceramics, Works of Art and Textiles on 6 November at South Kensington:
Between 31 October and 5 November
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Date:24/Oct/2009
