The Philanthropist and Connoisseur THE DECORATIVE ARTS COLLECTION OF THE LATE J.O. FAIRFAX AC
Japanese Highlights
131 A JAPANESE SCROLL PAINTING, MT FUJI, EDO PERIOD, 18TH CENTURY, SIGNED TORIN-GA, KANO SCHOOL Kakejiku (vertical hanging scroll), ink on paper depicting Mount Fuji from and a coastal outcrop, signed Torin Ga, the reverse signed Torin ga Miho Fuji (Fuji from Miho by Torin), Kano Torin (1679 1754), 113 x 68.5cm including mount, the artwork 52 x 34cm OTHER NOTES: There is scant information about this artist other than he was a painter, draughtsman and adopted son and pupil of Kano Togen. $2,000-4,000
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132 ZEN SCROLL, INK ON PAPER, EDO PERIOD, C.1800, SIGNED DOKUAN Kakejiku (vertical hanging scroll), ink on paper featuring a passage of a poem by eighth century Chan Buddhist recluse Hanshan 白雲抱幽石, ‘White clouds embracing the hidden stones’, the artwork excluding mount 94 x 24cm
133 A JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINT, ANDO HIROSHIGE (1797-1858) Oban size, woodblock print of Futami-ga-ura in Ise Province from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fuji sanjûrokkei), 1858, 34 x 23cm $300-400
OTHER NOTES: Not much is known about Dokuan other than he was active around the end of the 18th Century. His calligraphy also featured on scroll paintings by the master Nagasawa Rosetsu (1754-1799). $400-600
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134 A LACQUER TEBAKO (ACCESSORIES BOX), EDO PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY, ATTRIBUTED TO HASHI-ICHI Formed as a section of bamboo, realistically rendered in natural colours and decorated in gold lacquer with small sprigs of bamboo, the lid decorated on a roiro black ground with a bird flying to her young in the nest in takamakie, 14cm width x 11cm depth x 5cm height PROVENANCE: Purchased: Spink & Son Ltd, 1991 OTHER NOTES: This work is unsigned but attributed to Hashimoto Hashiichi I (1817-1882) who was known for intitating the style takemozo-nuri in which he made perfect imitations of bamboo in lacquer. $2,000-3,000
135 A FINE LACQUER FOUR-CASE INRO, EDO PERIOD, EARLY 19TH CENTURY, BY HASEGAWA SHIGEYOSHI I OR II Bearing a kinji ground and decorated with the rare motif of a long tailed bird of paradise on cherry blossom in takamakie and hiramakie, the reverse sparsely decorated with flying sparrows and blossom, the interior risers in nashiji, signed Hasegawa Shigeyoshi saku with red pot seal hashira, 8.5cm high PROVENANCE: Purchased: Barry Davies Oriental Art, 1988 $4,000-6,000
136* A FOUR CASE JAPANESE LACQUER INRO, EDO PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY, SIGNED YAMADA YOSHIOKI Of classic form, the roiro ground shading to nashiji, main decoration of two geese in silver and gold takamakie with kirikane highlights to their feet and similar theme continuing on the reverse, ensuite kagamibuta netsuke of a sparrow flying amongst foliage, signed Yamada Yoshioki Tsuku, 8cm high PROVENANCE: Purchased: Y.Tsuruki & Co, Kyoto, 1988 OTHER NOTES: Geese are known to fly in pairs and therefore symbols of happy marriage and fidelity. $4,000-6,000 This item has received CITES approval for sale within Australia. Please note your country’s regulations regarding the importation of natural material.
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137 A FINE LACQUER FOUR-CASE INRO, EDO PERIOD, EARLY 19TH CENTURY, SIGNED JITOKUSAI GYOKUZAN Bearing a rich kinji ground and lacquered with three hiramakie and takamakie cranes in flight and two cranes on the reverse. The details in gold, silver, black, red and lacquer and interior rims and shoulders in fundame, signed: Jitokusai Gyokuzan with Red pot seal, 7.5cm high PROVENANCE: Purchased: Spink & Son Ltd, 1989 OTHER NOTES: Cranes have been a popular subject matter in Japanese art and culture since ancient times. In both Chinese and Japanese mythology, cranes were believed to live for 1000 years, and were an embodiment of the wish for luck and longevity. It is said a flock of cranes flying together represents many good wishes. $3,000-4,000
138 A FOUR CASE JAPANESE LACQUER INRO, EDO PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY, SIGNED TOSHIHIDE On a roiro ground with a black crane flying over reeds and waves rendered in togidashi makie, the interior in black lacquer, signed on the front Koshu with additional red seal of Koshu, signed on the underside Toshihide above a red seal reading Tokei, 7cm high PROVENANCE: Purchased: Spink and Son Ltd, 1990 OTHER NOTES: Toshihide (also known as Hisahide) was a member of the Tatsuke lacquer family, whilst Koshu (1760-1822), refers to the artist responsible for the design. He was a well known Kyoto artist who studied under Maruyama Okyo. $3,500-4,500
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139 A JAPANESE LACQUER FOUR-CASE INRO, LOTUS THEME, EDO PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY On a nashiji ground, three-case inro decorated in gold, red and silver takamakie and mother of pearl inlay, with a continuous design of a kingfisher perched on a lotus plant with leaves and flowers, the interior in gold fundame lacquer, 11cm high PROVENANCE: Purchased: Spink & Son Ltd, 1990 OTHER NOTES: The lotus represents the emergence of the pure from the unclean, the lotus flower emerging from the mud at the bottom of the pond. $2,500-3,500
140 A RARE JAPANESE THREE CASE LACQUER INRO, EDO PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY, SIGNED KAJIKAWA Extremely fine gold lacquer three-case inro in the rare form of an eggplant, a hawk on one side and Mount Fuji on the reverse, all in various shades of gold and silver lacquer in takamakie and hiramakie with silver and gold kirikane, signed Kajikawa on the base with red pot seal, 12cm high OTHER NOTES: The combination of Mt Fuji, the hawk and eggplant allude to the popular tradition that Tokugawa Ieyasu’s (First Shogun and unifier of Japan) three favourite things were first, Mt Fuji; second, hawks; and third, eggplant. The trio were henceforth considered good luck when represented together. This inro is particularly fine and the unusual shape would have been incredibly difficult to achieve, even for the acclaimed Kajikawa studio; a tour-de- force of lacquer techniques. $6,000-8,000
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141 A FINE FIVE CASE JAPANESE LACQUER INRO, MEIJI PERIOD (1868-1912), 19TH CENTURY, SIGNED SHOSAI/ SHOUEI Of typical form and on kinji ground, a five case silver and black hiramakie and takamakie inro depicting an imposing hawk on a prunus, amongst spring blossom, the reverse with a continuing sakura design, 8cm high PROVENANCE: Purchased Barry Davies Oriental Art, 1987 $4,000-6,000
142 A FINE JAPANESE MAKIE TANSU, LACQUER CABINET, EDO PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY Comprising three main drawers, two smaller drawers and top sliding doors, decorated overall on a rich nashiji ground with main theme of sparrows flying among bamboo in hiramakie and takamakie, the interior drawers in nashiji, silver door pulls and carrying handles, 45cm width x 28cm depth x 47cm height OTHER NOTES: Recalling the story of the ‘cut-tongue sparrow’ (shitakiri suzume) – an old man goes out to cut firewood when he sees a wounded sparrow. Being kind-hearted, he takes it home to care for it, but his wife cuts out the bird’s tongue in a fit of jealousy. The old man goes out to look for the sparrow and finds it deep in a bamboo grove. In the end, the old man is rewarded with treasures while his wife is punished. $30,000-40,000
143 A PAIR OF JAPANESE LACQUER HOKAI, EDO PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY Each of typical form, with ribbed sides and canted corners, supported on four tall spreading feet, decorated overall with roiro black lacquer, edges and feet with brass kanagu (metalwork fittings) engraved with scrolling foliage, black lacquer interior and traditional orange cord, each 33cm width x 33cm depth x 36cm height PROVENANCE: Purchased: Spink & Son Ltd, 1991 OTHER NOTES: Hokai were primarily used outdoors at picnics or flower outings. $2,000-2,500
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144 A FINE AND RARE JAPANESE LACQUER STAND, EDO PERIOD, 18TH CENTURY Of lobed, pentagonal form decorated in dense nashiji and silver and gold hiramakie with leafy vine tendrils interspersed with snowflake roundels containing sprays of grass and silver dew drops, the rim adorned with five original silk tassels fixed to gilt copper kanagu fittings, 26.5cm high PROVENANCE: Purchased: Spink & Son Ltd, 1992 EXHIBITIONS: “Sparse Shadows, Flying Pearls”, Queensland Art Gallery, 2005 OTHER NOTES: This piece was used as a stand for a water-bowl for the tea ceremony or other object that would have been placed on a padded silk cushion. With sumptuous use of gold and silver, tables of this kind are extremely rare and were only used by those of the highest nobility. A similar shaped stand is thought to reside in the collection of the Kyoto Imperial Palace where it forms part of a matching set of lacquer furniture, probably made as a wedding gift for a member of the imperial family. $35,000-45,000
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145 A FINE JAPANESE LACQUER SAGEJUBAKO (PICNIC CONTAINER), EDO PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY The double hexagonal frame lacquered in roiro and decorated with bamboo in hiramakie and copper-gilt carrying handle, the set comprising; a hexagonal four-tier stacking food box decorated with classical flora and meandering stream in gold lacquer, tokkuri (sake container) in nashiji and hiramakie and a hexagonal food tray with hiramakie sparrows and bamboo on a nashiji ground, 42cm width x 17cm depth x 31cm height PROVENANCE: Purchased: Hiroshi Yanagi, Kyoto, 1994 EXHIBITIONS: “Sparse Shadows, Flying Pearls”, Queensland Art Gallery, 2005 $6,000-8,000
147 A JAPANESE MIRROR, LACQUER CASE AND STAND, EDO PERIOD, 18TH CENTURY, SIGNED FUJIWARA KANEKO The box decorated with scrolling foliate decoration and Paulownia crest, opening to reveal an ornately carved mirror decorated with lotus and scrolling foliage, the folding stand with similar decoration tied with a silk cord, signed Fujiwara Kaneko, the mirror 24cm high, overall including stand 53cm high OTHER NOTES: Mirrors used in the Edo Period, and earlier were made from bronze, nickel, and iron with the surface highly polished. The reverse would often feature a intricately carved design. It is very rare for early examples to be extant with accompanying furnishings. $3,000-4,000 146 A JAPANESE MIRROR, LACQUER CASE AND STAND, EDO PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY, SIGNED FUJIWARA YOSHIHIRO The stand and case decorated with a variation of an aoi family symbol, the mirror inscribed: Murata Yama Shire (keeper of castle) Fujiwara Yoshihiro, mirror 52cm high, overall including stand 90cm high OTHER NOTES: Mirrors used in the Edo Period, and earlier were made from bronze, nickel, and iron with the surface highly polished. The reverse would often feature an intricately carved design. $1,500-2,000
148 AN IMPRESSIVE JAPANESE LACQUER CABINET AND STAND, MEIJI PERIOD (1868-1912), 19TH CENTURY On a black ground, the main ribbed cabinet decorated in plum, the base with a short sliding drawer in hiramakie peacocks and the sliding doors in an assortment of birds, highlights in scrolling grasses and gilt brass kanagu fittings, unsigned, 63cm width x 33cm depth x 89cm height $2,000-3,000
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149 A NEGORO LACQUER KATAKUCHI, MEIJI PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY Negoro lacquer over wood, Katakuchi / Choshi (spouted sake server), 19cm high PROVENANCE: Purchased: David Jones Art Gallery, 1986 OTHER NOTES: Associated with the Buddhist temple in Negoro where the wares are first thought to have originated, Negoro was popular in the 15th century and remains one of the most highly regarded forms of lacquer in Japan, particularly in the tea ceremony. $500-1,000
150 A JAPANESE WOOD FIGURAL NETSUKE OF A MOUSE, EDO PERIOD, EARLY 19TH CENTURY Simply carved netsuke of a mouse sniffing for food, with the eyes inlaid in horn and the wood slightly worn on the tail, showing good patina, unsigned, 3cm high $800-1,000
151* TWO JAPANESE IVORY NETSUKE, EDO PERIOD, LATE 19TH CENTURY, ONE SIGNED ASAHI GYOKUZAN The first a netsuke in ivory of a kneeling skeleton with skull signed Asahi Gyokuzan; the second an ivory netsuke figure of a seated Buddhist monk with an alms bowl, rubbed signature, the tallest 8cm high $1,500-2,500 This item has received CITES approval for sale within Australia. Please note your country’s regulations regarding the importation of natural material.
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152 A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF A FOX, EDO PERIOD 19TH CENTURY Standing upright with its front paws held to one side of its head with short pointed ears, narrow eyes, long pointed muzzle and slightly open mouth, natural himotoshi on tail section, 7.5cm high PROVENANCE: Purchased: Spink & Son Ltd, 1989 $3,000-4,000
153* AN IVORY OKIMONO OF A BANANA, LATE MEIJI (1868-1912) or TAISHO PERIOD (1912-1926), EARLY 20TH CENTURY A naturalistic Japanese stained and carved ivory study of a banana, partly peeled and realistically rendered, circa 1900-1923, 12cm length $2,000-3,000 This item has received CITES approval for sale within Australia. Please note your country’s regulations regarding the importation of natural material.
154* A FINE OKIMONO OF A STREET VENDOR, MEIJI PERIOD (1868-1912), SIGNED JOUN A very finely carved ivory okimono of a seated street vendor, his various utensils lacquered and inlaid, signed by the artist, ‘Joun’ on a tsuishu (cinnabar) lacquer reserve, 13cm length PROVENANCE: Purchased: Victoria & Ray Tregaskis, 1997 $2,000-2,500 This item has received CITES approval for sale within Australia. Please note your country’s regulations regarding the importation of natural material.
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155 A WOOD SCULPTURE OF JIZO BOSATSU, MUROMACHI / MOMOYAMA PERIOD, CIRCA LATE 16TH CENTURY Jizo seated on a gold lotus pedestal (later Edo addition C.1800) shown in the guise of a serene monk with shaved head, his right hand carrying Shakujo (staff) and in his left a Tama or Buddhist jewel, 34cm high including pedestal (the seated figure 17cm high) PROVENANCE: Purchased: Y.Tsuruki & Co, Kyoto, 1988 OTHER NOTES: Jizo Bosatsu (Bodhisattva) is one of the most beloved Japanese deities, traditionally seen as the guardian of children, and in particular, of children who died before their parents. Jizo is often translated as ‘Womb of the Earth’, where ji means earth, while zo means womb. Zo can also be translated as ‘repository of treasure’; thus Jizo is often translated as ‘Earth Store’ or ‘Earth Treasury’. $10,000-15,000
156 A JAPANESE WOOD GUARDIAN FIGURE, EDO PERIOD, 17TH CENTURY Depicting one of the four guardian kings (shitenno), wearing ancient Chinese-style armour, his left arm raised (missing weapon), traces of original pigment, 57cm high including base (the figure 46.5cm high) OTHER NOTES: The Shitenno are Buddhist protectors of the four directions. In Japan they are often shown as martial figures wearing Chinese armour warding off evil and protecting the world from malicious spirits $7,000-9,000
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157 A BRONZE MODEL OF TANJOBUTSU (SHAKA AT BIRTH), EDO PERIOD, 18TH/19TH CENTURY Cast in the form of the historical Buddha Shaka immediately after his birth, naked to the waist, his right hand pointing to the heavens and his left pointing to the earth, on a lotus base, traces of gold gilding, 14cm high OTHER NOTES: According to legend, his mother Mahamaya gave birth to him from her right side. The infant then took 7 steps and, pointing to the heavens with his right hand and to the earth with his left hand, proclaimed, Tenjou tenga yuiga dokuson (I alone am the honoured one in the heavens and on earth). ref: Jaanus (aisf.or.jp) $1,000-2,000
158 A PAIR OF JAPANESE BRONZE RABBIT SCREEN SUPPORTS, EDO PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY Realistically cast screen supports modelled as rabbits in patinated bronze, unsigned, each 12cm high $800-1,200
159 A JAPANESE IMARI BOWL, EDO PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY Of circular form with a scalloped rim, the exterior painted with floral panels, the interior with six similar panels with a central design of a traditional basket of flowers, 19cm diameter $400-600
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160 A JAPANESE SETO WARE VASE, MONKEY THEME, MEIJI PERIOD, 20TH CENTURY, SIGNED Of baluster shape and painted with monkeys amongst spring flowers, signed Machimoto Owari-ya Seizo, 35cm high $800-1,000
162 A JAPANESE CELADON GARDEN SEAT, EDO PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY Square shaped garden seat, raised relief design of bamboo in celadon porcelain, the top with a pattern of blue and white floral $800-1,200
161 A JAPANESE STONEWARE VASE, 20TH CENTURY Painted with an abstract floral design, signed Anzan or Yasuyuma, 17cm high $200-400
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163 A JAPANESE CELADON VASE LAMP STAND, 20TH CENTURY Of bottle shape, a celadon vase converted to lamp stand, 50cm high to brass fitting including base $200-300
164 A JAPANESE ELM RICE CONTAINER, EDO PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY Of tapering coppered form, an elm rice barrel, 52cm diameter x 52cm high $800-1,000
166 AN IRON IKEBANA VESSEL, 20TH CENTURY, UNSIGNED Of circular form, a shallow ikebana vessel in iron with square inlet, the surface worked in a traditional ishime (rock surface) finish, 14cm diameter, 4cm high $300-400
165 A KOREAN CHEST WITH IRON FITTINGS, 19TH CENTURY Of rectangular shape, in elm with iron fittings and hinged lid, 93cm width x 41cm depth x 38cm height $500-1,000
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