A renewed energy is returning to the Japanese works of art market. At a time when the best Chinese works of art are undeniably expensive, some collectors are casting their net wider to embrace other aspects of the vast Asian art panoply. Sworders’ continued championing of ‘value for money’ Japanese works of art has been rewarded with some strong results for top-drawer Meiji period (1868-1912) metalwork and Satsuma in particular. Sold in November 2021, a silver and gold inlaid iron vase with a design of cranes signed Gyokutosai (£2,860) and a Satsuma vase signed Meizan (£1,820) were both signs of a return to form in this area.
There is also a thriving market for Japanese modern and contemporary paintings – in May 2020 we took £14,300 for Homage, an ink painting by Toko Shinoda (b.1913) – while earlier works from the Edo period can also bring impressive sums.
Unusually for an Asian art sale, the top price at Sworders' May 2019 sale was for a Japanese work of art – a rare early to mid-17th century export ware lacquer casket decorated in gold hiramaki-e, takamakie and nashiji techniques on a black ground. It sold well above estimate to a Hong Kong buyer bidding via the internet at £51,040.
To find out more about our forthcoming sales or talk further about potential consignments, please don’t hesitate to contact a member of our specialist team.
Our specialists hold regular valuation days. Please contact us for more information, or complete the online form to enquire about the valuation of your items.
Want to know how much your Japanese Works of Art may be worth? Fill out our easy to use form and a member of the team will be in touch with free advice shortly.
Sworders are extremely privileged to announce the sale of the contents of the West London flat of Maurice Turpin (1928-2005) in a single-owner sale on 25 January 2024.
24 November 2023
Discover the opulence of a rare Chinese 'dragon' box, carved from prized zitan wood, which achieved a staggering £143,000 in our November Asian Art sale.
13 November 2023
Coinciding with London’s prestigious Asian Art Week, the sale of the Dennison Collection of Arms and Armour, on Thursday 2 November, is one of the most comprehensive collections of Japanese arms and armour to be seen on the open market. With every sphere of the Japanese arms-collecting world covered, the sale will include complete suits of armour, katana, wakizashi and naginata amongst others, and is sure to appeal to the heart of the Asian Art market.
10 October 2023