Dear Friends
Welcome to our September newsletter.
I find it hard to believe that I have just typed the above month, where has summer gone? Having said that I really do love the autumn months, the beautiful colours of the decaying foliage and crisp bright sunny mornings are a joy, clearly also the inspiration of many Japanese artisans, in particular metalworks by Suzuki Chokichi. Autumn leads us nicely into the traditional Asian art period in London as well as the launch of my much-anticipated Autumn 2024 Exhibition catalogue. I am excited to be to sharing the pdf exclusively with you in mid-October (date tba). As you read this Emma will have just concluded the final photo shoot, the images are on route to our creative designer Steve, at which point the pdf catalogue will soon be awaiting my final scrutiny before signing off. I have somehow managed to purchase twenty-five works of art, many arriving market fresh from collections around the globe.
The teaser picture below represents decaying Autumnal foliage to an extraordinary standard, each of the hand finished flowers and leaves formed from one, two or even three alloys prior to creating the final scene in relief upon the bronze ground. This type of work would instantly draw us to the imperial artist Suzuki Chokichi, however on this occasion the highly skilled artist in question is not Chokichi, all will be revealed in the fullness of time 😊
But let’s not give up on Summer just yet, following a lovely bank holiday music night at the marina we are looking forward to some further days out boating, Mrs Sly is away with number one daughter and granddaughters for a much-deserved girlie break in Devon, leaving Ted and I to steer the ship, quite literally we hope.
Talking of Ted, I noticed that Monday 26th August was International Dog Day, a nice enough initiative to raise awareness of our four-legged friends, however I would like to propose that every day should be international animal day, whether dogs, cats, birds or any animal you choose, these creatures bring such joy to our lives.
You may recall in last month’s newsletter we featured the most unusual gold lacquer tebako with a sliding window in the lid that revealed characters possibly playing go. It was soon spotted by a Japanese afficionado in Europe, a gentleman collector of Japanese art since the 1970’s simply could not resist its appeal, and a deal was soon concluded.
Back home in the UK a gentleman initially contacted us to secure the highly decorative Fukagawa charger, prior to arranging delivery the same buyer negotiated to purchase our lovely Genroku period charger, both items were safely packed and hand delivered to this gentleman’s address. Sincere thanks to both of these new clients for their valuable business.
It was during a very rare weekday lunch with friends in the beautiful new forest that my phone unexpectedly pinged with a message from a long standing client in the USA. “Steve, I have been watching this Nogawa kodansu for quite a while now, I have received an unexpected windfall and would like to buy it from you… caveat, will you take back the little Nogawa shakudo vase that I purchased from you a few years back?”. Well, I didn’t need the brains of an archbishop to answer that enquiry, it was a great pleasure to sell the Kodansu to such a long-standing loyal client, whilst being equally happy to take back the little Nogawa vase as part of the purchase price. Upon safe receipt only 48 hours later I received this feedback.
“Hi Steve, The kodansu arrived – it’s magnificent! Thanks! No customs or shipping issues whatsoever. Left UK Wednesday arrived here Friday!”
Thank you very much to that particular friend and client, I hope you enjoy the kodansu as much as I enjoyed ownership of it.
It now seems appropriate to offer this gentleman’s part exchanged Nogawa vase as this month’s featured item, and at exactly the same selling price as it was the last time around, rather interestingly this lovely little vase has been across the pond and back four times to my knowledge, where will it next rest I wonder.
Simply click the image to view this well-travelled vase.
Best wishes
Steve