Dear Friends
Welcome to our November newsletter which not only coincides with the culmination of Asian Art in London but also triggers my long awaited and much anticipated business trip to Japan. I shall look forward to meeting friends and business associates in both Tokyo and Kyoto and will be sharing some news and views with you in December.
The autumnal scene of this Acer outside my office is probably a fair reflection of what I’m hoping to see on a much grander scale as I travel across Japan, as an example, Pic 2 highlights the garden of the Namikawa cloisonne museum in Kyoto, it looks like I need some practise on the gardening front.
October started on a positive footing with our charming boxwood rat netsuke finding a new home in the UK, thank you to that particular long-standing client.
You should have all received my online catalogue on Friday 13th October, please take a further look if for one reason or another you missed opening it.
I was humbled by the volume of positive feedback received, thank you so much for all your kind words, it makes it all so worthwhile to know that hundreds of subscribers took the time to open the catalogue online. Naturally to continue in business I require sales as well as supportive words, and once again you have delivered with multiple early purchases.
Plate 9 : The Hawk Okimono by Sano Takachika that I recently discovered in Europe has now found a new resting place with a UK based collector of high quality Japanese metalware and okimono.
The most unusual boxwood and lacquer smoking man incense burner at plate 5 has been shipped to its new home in the middle east, the new owner could not resist its obvious charm and snapped it up immediately, this particular client also purchased the magical mixed metal Crane and Minogame okimono at plate 12, individually artist signed as well as sealed by the highly revered Ozeki company.
Meanwhile, the rare and fine quality shibuichi Dragon okimono at plate 13 has travelled over the pond to join an exceptional collection of Japanese metalware and okimono supplied by us in recent years.
Doesn’t it look resplendent alongside the stunning Kajima Ikkoku vase that the client purchased earlier in the year.
My sincere thanks to all of you that opened, viewed, and responded so positively to this year’s exhibition catalogue, work has already begun on the 2024 edition.
As this month’s featured item and whilst on the subject of Kajima Ikkoku, I would like to present this delightful mixed metal lidded box that frustratingly goes unsigned, however the quality level and style of workmanship lead me to suggest a very confident attribution of Kajima Ikkoku II (1846 – 1925).
Whilst travelling away from the office my email access will be somewhat limited, however please rest assured that all your enquiries will be handled daily. The online gallery remains open, and deliveries will resume as soon as practicably possible, thank you for your patience at this time.
Best wishes
Steve