Stunning Asian Artworks at Skinner

Autumn is almost here and that means the beginning of the Fall Asian Art season! Bidsquare is on the scene with Skinner Auctions, Asian Works of Arts sale on September 15th. Featuring over 500 lots of Asian Art from China, Japan, Korea, South Asia and the Himalayan region, Skinner Auctions catalog has a wide variety of items for every level of collector. 

The Chinese section of the auction features spectacular finds in numerous categories including porcelain, jade carvings, snuff bottles, textiles, painting and metalwork. One of the major highlights is lot 333 a Pair of Large Bronze Cloisonné Roosters.

Lot 333, Pair of Large Bronze and Cloisonné Roosters; Estimate $20,000 - $30,000

Dated to the 19th/20th Century, the pair of roosters stands at a massive 38 ½ inches in height. Each rooster is realistically modeled and features a colourful, archaistic bronze-age design on a sky blue ground. Both are raised on a large cloisonné pedestal imitating a rock base covered in ocean waves. 

These types of large cloisonné enamel birds have a monumental presence and pay homage to earlier examples of the 18th Century Qing imperial court. Purchased in Hong Kong in 1983, the roosters have an estimate of $20,000 – $30,000 USD.

Lot 430, Semiformal Robe, Silk, China, Late 19th century; Estimate $2,000 - $3,000

The sale also contains a wonderful assortment of Asian textiles including Lot 430 - a Chinese Semiformal Robe. The robe contains nine gold-thread five-clawed dragons that are meticulously detailed and intended to be worn by an official. The navy blue ground contains other auspicious symbols including bats, flaming pearls, cranes and Daoist emblems. Mounted in a simple frame, this dragon robe has a conservative estimate of $2,000 - $3,000 USD. 

Lot 358, Mixed-metal-inlaid Silver Vase, Japan, Meiji period; Estimate $6,000 - $8,000

The Japanese section of the Skinners sale includes an incredible selection of Meiji Period (1868-1913) metalwork. One of the top items is lot 358, a Mixed-Metal-Inlaid Silver Vase. Made in the late 19th Century, this was probably an export item for the American or European market. 

Of an elegant bottle-form, the bronze vase has a silvered neck with gold and copper inlays throughout the body. The main scene showcases an endearing silver rabbit with gold eyes and black spotted fur. Signed Masami on the base, this stunning vase carries an estimate of $6,000– $8,000 USD.  

Lot 470, Shiko Munakata, Woodblock Print, Japan, dated 1960; Estimate $3,000 - $5,000

In the sale’s category of Japanese woodblock prints is lot 470, a depiction of Subodai, Master of the Immaterial. Executed in 1939 by Shiko Munakata (1903-1975), this image was part of the artist’s most renowned series, the ‘Ten Great Disciples of the Buddha’. 

Shiko Munakata was one of the leading figures of the sosaku-hanga (self-made print) movement in Japan. Unlike traditional woodblock print artists, they were involved in every aspect of the printmaking process. Not only did these artists create their own designs, but were also responsible for carving their own woodblocks and physically printing them. This iconic image has an auction estimate of 3,000-5,000 USD.

Click here to view the full Skinner Auctions, Asian Works of Art sale on September 15th. 

Bidsquare and our partners will be featuring more Asian Art sales in the coming weeks. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date on all upcoming auctions this season!

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