Fantastic five Japanese woodblock prints on offer at Chiswick Auctions
06 May 2020 If you like prints, the vibrant and dynamic Japanese woodblock creations are right up there for quality and desirability. A selection on offer in west London could tempt you to bid for a fine example of ukiyo-e (pictures of the floating world).
This print by Keisai Eisen from the series Tosei Kobutsu Hakkkei (Eight Favourite Things in the Modern World) is estimated at £300-400 at Chiswick Auctions on May 10.
While the top names include Hokusai, Hiroshige and Kuniyoshi for starters, a wide range of artists] work – and price points – is available in this market.
Here is a selection of five lots in the Asian Art sale at Chiswick Auctions on May 10.
Modern life is not rubbish
Landscapes are a major feature of Japanese woodblock art but depictions of people are also a particularly strong subject. This print (pictured top) by Keisai Eisen (1790-1848), Oban tate-e (common print size), from the series Tosei Kobutsu Hakkkei (Eight Favourite Things in the Modern World), shows a bust-portrait of a young woman with a puppy resting on her shoulders.
It is signed Kisai Eisen ga with the censor’s seal kiwame (from 1790-1876 all woodblock prints had to be examined by official censors and marked with their seals).
Estimated at £300-400, you can view this print by Keisai Eisen on offer at Chiswick Auctions, via thesaleroom.com.
Gone fishing
Estimated at £200-300, this Hiroshige print from the series One Hundred Views of Edo is on offer at Chiswick Auctions on May 10.
As mentioned, Hiroshige (1797-1858) is one of the true greats of Japanese woodblock prints. This Oban tate-e is from the series One Hundred Views of Edo, the fishing villages of Horie and Nekozane. It is signed Hiroshige ga, the censor’s seal aratame. Estimate £200-300.
Visit thesaleroom.com to bid for this Hiroshige print from One Hundred Views of Edo at Chiswick Auctions.
Magic carp it
Yoshitoshi vertical diptych print, depicting Kintaro riding on a giant carp in the water, estimate £3500-4000 at Chiswick Auctions on May 10.
Yoshitoshi (1839-92) produced this Oban vertical diptych print, depicting Kintaro riding on a giant carp in the water, signed Oju Yoshitoshiga, finely printed in karazuri with a trace of mica. It is at the higher end of the estimated values: £3500-4000.
You can view the Yoshitoshi print of Kintaro riding on a giant carp in the water at Chiswick Auctions on thesaleroom.com.
Hoping for a hero
Kuniyoshi woodblock print from the series One Hundred and Eight Heroes from the Suiko-den (Shuiha Zhuan), Sun Li, estimate £500-600 at Chiswick Auctions on May 10.
This dynamic Oban tate-e print from the series One Hundred and Eight Heroes from the Suiko-den (Shuiha Zhuan), Sun Li, is by Kuniyoshi (1798-1861). Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga, with the publisher’s seal Kagayoshi, the censor’s seal kiwame, it is estimated at £500-600.
Visit thesaleroom.com to bid for this Kuniyoshi print from the series One Hundred and Eight Heroes from the Suiko-den (Shuiha Zhuan), Sun Li, at Chiswick Auctions.
Collecting area
This image is among of group of 19th-20th century Japanese woodblock prints estimated at £150-200 on offer at Chiswick Auctions on May 10.
The heyday of classic Japanese woodblock prints was probably the first half of the 19th century but beautiful examples were certainly being made well after that period. Estimated at £150-200, this collection of 19th-20th century prints is by various artists including Toshikata, Gekko, Yoshi’iku, Toshihide, with one landscape print in the style of Markino Yoshino.
This collection of 19th-20th century Japanese woodblock prints at Chiswick Auctions can be viewed via thesaleroom.com
