Dear Friends
Welcome to our February newsletter.
As I sit in my garden office penning this letter I witness a pair of industrious blue tits seemingly building a nest in the bird box on the fence. I would have thought it’s way too early for nesting season?
We have just this week witnessed huge swathes of the west country, including my local area of Dorset, being battered by severe storms, with many areas now flooded, including a local village pub literally underwater, it must be soul destroying for the owners, as if things weren’t tough enough in hospitality. So the sight of birds nesting and the garden springing to life naturally brings a smile to my face, thankfully the nights are slowly drawing out and boating season looms large on the horizon.
Last month we kicked the new year off nicely with the sale of one of the few remaining items from our Autumn 25 exhibition catalogue. Plate 22 featured this outstanding gold lacquer shodana cabinet of a quality and condition rarely encountered.
Meanwhile, from literally the other side of the world I received a very welcome enquiry from an existing client looking to add this charming copper and mixed metal vase, depicting girls picking flowers to his remarkable Japanese collection.
Sincere thanks to these two returning clients for their valuable patronage in what are clearly uncertain times.
You will recall last month I featured a large Satsuma bowl with very poor iPhone images, (apologies). I am delighted to say that having tracked down our elusive photographer Emma, we now have some very fine images for you to enjoy, it’s worth another look, this really is a great bowl with a traceable provenance.
The subject of this months featured item inspired me, as we enter February, with Valentine’s Day fast approaching and love in the air, what better way to cement your relationship with either your loved one or indeed your Japanese art collection 😊 than with a tranquil scene of Manchurian cranes adorning the rim of this very special vase. Cranes symbolise longevity in Asian culture as they mate for life, these cranes are moulded in high relief and have been together for around 130 years so far… having recently arrived on these shores from an esteemed Australian collection.
And finally, with spring approaching I am desperately looking to clear a huge backlog of exhibition books and catalogues from my storage area. As such if you are prepared to cover the postage costs and make a nominal donation to the RSPCA charity, I would be delighted to send you any combination that you choose at no extra cost.
Estimated postage in UK £12, International postage £24 (dependent on volume chosen) Suggested minimum charitable donation £10.
I would love you to help me to raise £200 for this worthy cause, as well as move a few sets of books from my storage facility into your bookcases. Simply e-mail RSPCA to steve@steveslyjapaneseart.com with your preferred order. Thank you for your consideration.
Best wishes
Steve