More Asian Art Highlights on Bidsquare!

With the upcoming Asia Week New York auctions from March 9th to 18th, the spotlight will be on the perpetually sizzling hot Chinese art market. In Bidsquare’s last Asian Art blog, we featured some of the top Chinese works of art offered by our partners: March Asian Art Highlights on Bidsquare.

For collectors interested in non-Chinese Asian Art, Bidsquare will showcase amazing items from Japan, Korea, India, South East Asia, and the Himalayan region.

Lot 1163, "Fujiwara Yasumasa Plays the Flute by Moonlight (Fujiwara Yasumasa Gekka Roteki),” Oban tate-e woodblock triptych in colors, 1883; Estimate $3,000 - $6,000

On March 17th, Rago Auctions Asian sale, will be offering lot 1163, one of the most iconic Japanese ukiyoe-e (floating world) woodblock prints. Titled ‘Fujiwara Yasumasa Plays the Flute by Moonlight’, this triptych was made by the prolific Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) in 1883.

In this story, a bandit is intending to rob the noble Fujiwara Yasumasa under moonlight. However, he becomes stunned by the beauty of the melody emanating from Yasumasa’s flute. The bandit continues to listen to the music by following the nobleman home, and is eventually gifted a new set of clothes. This masterpiece creates a contrasting sense of grace and tension.

Lot 14, Large Sandstone Gupta Torso of the Buddha, India, Possibly late 6th century; Estimate $15,000 - $20,000

In Skinner’s Asian Art Auction on March 18th will feature a Large Sandstone Gupta Torso of the Buddha, possibly Late 6th Century. This figure of the Historical Buddha is standing in a regal pose, yet depicted gracefully wearing simplistic monastic attire. He was carved during one of India’s greatest dynasties where science, culture and art were at the forefront of society.

Lot 449, An Impressive Cloisonné Enamel Covered Jar attributed to Suzuki Honda; Estimate $20,000 - $40,000

Chicago, IL will stage Leslie Hindman Auctioneers sale of Asian Works of Art on March 20th. One of their most impressive Japanese items is lot 449, an Impressive Cloisonné Enamel Covered Jar attributed to Suzuki Honda. Dated to the Meiji Period, the jar is notable for its massive size and attention to detail – it contains delicately worked silver wire among the large patches of enamelled dragons, phoenixes and florals, and may have been showcased during one of the World’s Fairs of the Late 19th Century. 

Lot 495, A Sino-Tibetan Gilt Bronze Figure of Medicine Buddha, 18th/19th Century; Estimate $4,000 - $6,000

Leslie Hindman will also feature Himalayan artwork, including lot 495, A Sino-Tibetan Gilt Bronze Figure of Medicine Buddha. Conservatively dated to the 18th/19th Century, this figure depicts Buddha as the ‘Supreme Healer’. Seated in a meditative pose and holding a ‘medicinal fruit’ in his right hand, he summarizes the Buddhist mantra that a healthy body leads to a healthy and spiritual mind. 

Check back with ‘On the Square’ in the coming weeks for more information and highlights from our upcoming Asian Art auctions.

View the full catalogs here:

Click here to view Skinner Auctions upcoming Asian Works of Art catalog on March 18th. 

Click here to view Rago Auctons upcoming Asian auction catalog on March 17th. 

Click here to view Leslie Hindman Auctioneers upcoming Asian Works of Art catalog on March 20th.