Asian art auctions
Watercolor on silk, 65.5 x 31 cm Framed Starting price 200 Estimated value 400–500; inquire about this item
A sensual yet intimate portrait depicting Yamauba—a figure from Japanese folklore—along with her son Kintarō, based on a design by Kitagawa Utamaro. The composition depicts the moment of feeding the child, combining the theme of motherhood with Utamaro’s characteristic subtlety in observing human nature. The woman’s loose hair and the soft lines of the drawing lend the scene extraordi...
An elegant Japanese woodblock print depicting a pair of mandarin ducks and a kingfisher resting on curved reeds. The composition captivates with its subtle balance and masterful rendering of the birds’ plumage. The male mandarin duck’s vivid blue head contrasts with the delicate browns and grays of the other birds, creating a harmonious yet striking whole. The artist has depicted the varie...
“Koshu Misaka Suimen” (Katsushika Hokusai’s Water Surface at Misaka, Kai Province) from the series “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji,” by Katsushika Hokusai. A landscape depicting Mount Fuji seen above a calm expanse of water in which its silhouette is reflected. The composition, designed by Katsushika Hokusai, is part of one of the most famous series in the history of Japanese art. Th...
An elegant Japanese woodblock print depicting a gray-headed rice-eater (Lonchura oryzivora) perched on a branch of a flowering plum tree (ume). The composition was created based on a design by Ippitsusai Bunchō—an outstanding artist of the Edo period whose work was distinguished by his subtle observations of nature and exceptional sense of harmony. The bird is depicted in a calm, natural po...
"Genji" (Genji Monogatari), a masterpiece of Heian-period court literature. The composition depicts a serene scene near a garden pavilion—a blossoming plum tree and the silhouettes of courtiers create an atmosphere of tranquility and contemplation characteristic of traditional Japanese aesthetics. The artist employed a subtle, harmonious color palette and restrained means of expression, lend...
A Japanese erotic woodblock print (shunga) depicting a couple of lovers in an intimate embrace, presented in a light, decorative composition inspired by classical ukiyo-e. The work is characterized by subtle line work, simplified figure modeling, and a harmonious combination of pastel blues, reds, and yellows. The composition has a more intimate and lyrical character than many classic shunga d...
Station 10 from the series “Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō” (Hōeidō edition) “Hakone (High Cliffs by the Lake)” is the eleventh print in the famous series “Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō” by Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858). The woodblock print depicts one of the most spectacular and challenging sections of the entire route—the mountain road leading through the Hak...
A subtle genre scene depicting an elegantly dressed woman accompanied by a child, set against a backdrop of cherry blossoms. The composition follows the bijin-ga aesthetic—depictions of beautiful women popular in ukiyo-e art. The woman is depicted in a calm, contemplative pose, with her head gently bowed and a hand gesture that emphasizes the intimate nature of the scene. The child accompany...
A Japanese erotic woodblock print (shunga) depicting a couple in a dynamic intimate scene, rendered in the late ukiyo-e style. The composition stands out for its expressive arrangement of the figures, the decorative patterns on the kimonos, and the densely arranged text written in kuzushiji cursive script. The work is rendered in a darker, higher-contrast color scheme than classic, subtle shun...
A Japanese erotic woodblock print (shunga) depicting a couple of lovers in an intimate embrace. The composition is rendered in the style characteristic of the late Edo period—with simplified drawing, delicate contour lines, and a subtle, restrained color palette. Shunga (“pictures of spring”) constituted an important genre within ukiyo-e art and were created by the most outstanding maste...
MADONNA WITH CHILD, second half of the 20th centuryWatercolors on silk; 34.5 x 20.5 cm (inside frame) Signed lower left with Japanese ideograms Starting price 225 Estimate: 400–500; inquire about this item
A landscape depicting the Fushimi Inari Shrine complex in Kyoto, based on a design by Matsukawa Hanzan. The composition showcases the distinctive shrine architecture and torii gates, set amid greenery and sacred buildings. The varied color palette, distinct line work, and decorative rendering of details give the work an ornamental character typical of late ukiyo-e. The presence of small human ...
A colorful Japanese woodblock print depicting a scene from everyday life, showing two women engaged in work related to traditional spinning or the preparation of silk thread. One of them operates a wooden wheel for winding thread, while the other helps unroll the material, creating a harmonious composition that depicts a traditional Japanese home workshop. The artist has meticulously rendered ...
A subtle landscape depicting a cluster of bamboo against a gentle backdrop, rendered in a style inspired by traditional ink painting. The composition employs a minimalist form and precise lines, emphasizing the natural rhythm of the plants and the calm, contemplative nature of the scene. The bamboo motif, often found in Japanese art, symbolizes perseverance and flexibility. The limited color p...
A set of four scenes depicting figures from everyday life—artisans and street performers—based on a design by Katsushika Hokusai. The composition depicts a variety of activities and skills: balancing acts, displays of dexterity, and elements of craftsmanship. Light, sketchy lines and a restrained color palette give the depiction a free, almost illustrative character. The scenes are rendere...
A Japanese erotic woodblock print (shunga) depicting a couple of lovers in an intimate embrace, shown wearing richly decorated kimonos with striking patterns and vivid colors. The composition is rendered in the late ukiyo-e style, characteristic of the late Edo and early Meiji periods. The work draws attention with its ornamental rendering of the fabrics, the dynamic arrangement of the figures...
A landscape featuring Mount Fuji, enriched with a reference to Ōishi Yoshitaki—one of the figures associated with the story of the 47 rōnin—based on a design by Yamauchi Tamon. The composition depicts a vast landscape with the distinctive silhouette of Mount Fuji in the background and a row of trees in the foreground. The subtle color palette, delicate line work, and soft tonal transitio...
A portrait of a woman holding a cup, based on a design by Kitagawa Utamaro, from an educational series depicting various virtues and behaviors attributed to women. The composition, rendered in the bijin-ga style, is distinguished by its subtle linework and delicate facial modeling. Her bowed head and focused gesture reflect the titular “humility,” lending the scene an intimate and contempl...
An exceptionally decorative Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock print depicting a kabuki actor sitting in a boat during an evening cruise beneath cherry blossoms in full bloom. The subject is dressed in a richly decorated, multicolored costume, whose vivid hues contrast with the deep black of the night sky. The gently falling sakura petals and the calm surface of the water create the atmospheric mood o...
A small oval box for small items, made of ceramic and metal in the chinoiserie style, with a mirrored lid—China, second half of the 20th century. The box is framed by a silver-plated border with a floral pattern; the porcelain lid features a genre scene and is hand-painted. These boxes were used as pillboxes or cases for small jewelry. Condition: very good Dimensions: height 2.5 [cm], diamet...
A striking Japanese woodblock print depicting three elegant courtesans strolling through the bustling Yoshiwara entertainment district. In the background, streets lined with red lanterns and filled with passersby lend the composition the atmosphere of a festive evening and capture the colorful character of Meiji-era Tokyo. With extraordinary attention to detail, the artist has depicted richly ...
An elegant woodblock print depicting a young woman holding an ornate uchiwa fan. The model is depicted in the half-profile style characteristic of Kitagawa Utamaro’s work, with an elongated neck, subtly defined facial features, and intricately styled hair adorned with a comb and kanzashi hairpins. Her serene expression and graceful pose perfectly capture the ideal of feminine beauty in the E...
A Japanese color woodblock print depicting a solitary female figure gazing at a summer landscape from a wooden pavilion. The composition is inspired by the world of *The Tale of Genji* (Genji Monogatari)—a classic work of Heian-period court literature whose aesthetic has served as an important source of inspiration for Japanese painting and woodblock prints for centuries. The work captivates...
A delicate Japanese color woodblock print inspired by *The Tale of Genji* (Genji Monogatari)—one of the most outstanding works of classical Japanese literature. The composition depicts two courtiers in an intimate, serene scene set against a backdrop of architecture and blossoming branches. The work is rendered in an aesthetic that draws on the yamato-e tradition and early illustrations for ...
A delicate Japanese color woodblock print depicting a court scene inspired by the classic *The Tale of Genji* (Genji Monogatari)—one of the most important works of Japanese literature. The composition depicts aristocratic figures in a garden setting, rendered in an atmosphere of tranquility and elegance characteristic of the Heian period’s aesthetic. The work is rendered in a delicate, sub...
Station 31 from the series “Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō” (Hōeidō edition) “Arai” is the thirty-second print in the famous series “Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō” by Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858). It depicts the bustling harbor on Lake Hamana, where travelers would end or begin their water crossing—one of the most distinctive stages of the entire route. In the...
Station 20 from the series “Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō” (Hōeidō edition) “Mariko (Roadside Inn)” is the twenty-first print in the famous series “Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō” by Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858). It depicts a small roadside inn where travelers stopped to rest and eat during the long journey between Edo and Kyoto. The central motif of the composi...
A colorful Japanese woodblock print depicting an intimate genre scene featuring an elegant woman and a young man indoors. The composition, divided into two parts by a vertical line, is likely a fragment of a larger diptych or a pair of prints. On the left is a beautifully dressed woman in a richly decorated kimono with a dark pattern, her hair intricately styled and adorned with traditional ka...
A Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock print depicting a canal in Yotsugi—a rural, outlying area of Edo known for its vast fields, irrigation canals, and tranquil, provincial character. The scene shows a winding road running alongside the canal, on which small cargo boats are moving, while pedestrians and travelers walk along the embankment. In the distance, rural buildings are visible, along with a l...
Porcelain, overglaze paints, wood; 20 x 32 cm Starting price 525 Estimate: 900–100; ask about this item
A vivid portrait of a kabuki actor, depicting Ichikawa Omezō I in the role of Yakko Ippei, based on a design by Tōshūsai Sharaku. The ōkubi-e (large bust) composition focuses on the facial expression and the gesture of the hand holding the sword. Sharaku’s characteristic distortion of facial features and intense facial expressions convey the drama of the scene and the character’s indiv...
An atmospheric scene depicting a meeting between two figures in a temple garden, based on a design by Mizuno Toshikata. The composition belongs to the kuchi-e genre—illustrations for novels and literary magazines that were popular at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The depiction shows a subtle interaction between a woman and a man, partially hidden among the vegetation. The delicate...
Station 22 from the series “Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō” (Hōeidō edition) “Fujieda” is the twenty-third print in the famous series “Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō” by Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858). Here, the artist depicts daily life at one of the bustling post stations, focusing not on the landscape but on the people and their work. The scene takes place in fr...
A subtle portrait of a woman holding a teacup, based on a design by Kitagawa Utamaro. The subject is identified as Okita—one of the most famous beauties of the Edo period, often portrayed by the artist. The composition, executed in the bijin-ga style, is distinguished by its elegant lines and balanced color palette. Her calm gesture and focused facial expression lend the scene an intimate, e...
Tortoiseshell, maki-e, diameter 23.5 cm Condition: crack Starting price: 400 Estimate: 1,200–1,500; inquire about this item
A subtle landscape depicting the Takahara mountain range, based on a design by Tani Bunchō. The composition is part of a series dedicated to Japan’s most famous mountains. The work, executed in a style inspired by ink painting (sumi-e), features delicate, sketchy lines and expansive areas of negative space. The simplified form and balanced composition emphasize the monumentality of the moun...
An intimate scene depicting a woman caring for a child, from an Edo-period picture book (ehon). The composition captures a moment of everyday life—a mother leaning over her child, surrounded by household objects. The extensive inscriptions, which occupy a significant portion of the composition, point to the work’s literary and didactic nature—it was most likely part of a publication on s...
A dynamic depiction of a samurai, based on a design by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, from a popular series inspired by the “Taiheiki” chronicle. The figure, depicted in motion with a sword at his belt and elements of travel attire, conveys the energy and character of a warrior. Geometric decorative motifs and a patterned kimono lend the composition a distinctive, ornamental character. Expressive line...
A delicate Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock print depicting a young woman and Hyottoko—one of the most recognizable figures in Japanese folklore. Hyottoko, with his distinctive red face and comical expression, has its roots in traditional folk performances and theater, and remains an important motif in Japanese culture to this day. The composition is rendered in the bijin-ga style—depictions of ...
A Japanese woodblock print inspired by the classic epic *Satomi Hakkenden* (The Legend of the Eight Dogs of the Satomi Clan)—one of the most important works of popular literature from the Edo period, often adapted for kabuki theater and ukiyo-e art. The composition depicts a dramatic scene: Michisetsu raises the Murasamemaru sword on Mount Maruzuka, while his younger sister Hamaji clings to ...
Bronze, silver-plated, height 10.5 cm. Starting price: 600. Estimate: 800–900. Ask about this item.
Station 29 from the series “Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō” (Hōeidō edition) “Hamamatsu” is the thirtieth print in the famous series “Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō” by Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858). The artist depicts travelers taking a moment’s rest under a massive pine tree growing by the roadside. Thanks to the subtle composition, this ordinary scene from ev...
The Courtesan Hanaōgi (Hanaoki) from the series “Tōji zensei bijin zoroe” (“Beauties of Our Time”)
104 EUR
A refined portrait of the courtesan Hanaōgi, based on a design by Kitagawa Utamaro—one of the most outstanding artists of women’s portraits in the Edo period. The composition, rendered in the bijin-ga style, depicts the figure in an elegant pose, with her characteristic, richly adorned hairstyle and sophisticated attire. The subtle lines of the drawing, the delicate modeling of the face, ...
An intimate landscape depicting a section of the garden at Shishendō Temple in Kyoto, based on a design by Hiromitsu Nakazawa. The composition shows the temple buildings partially obscured by dense trees, whose rhythmic trunks and soft patches of green create a sense of depth and natural harmony. The delicate, sketch-like lines and limited color palette give the work a calm, contemplative cha...
Brass, height 12.5 cm Starting price 225 Estimate: 400–500; ask about this item
An elegant Japanese woodblock print depicting an intimate scene from the “In the Bathhouse” series, showing two women conversing inside a traditional Japanese bathhouse. The composition is the third part of a larger triptych by Utagawa Toyokuni I—one of the most outstanding masters of the Utagawa school and a leading ukiyo-e artist at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. The artist s...
Station 36 from the series “Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō” (Hōeidō edition) “Akasaka” is the thirty-seventh print in the famous series “Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō” by Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858). It is one of the most intimate and intimate compositions in the entire series. Instead of a vast landscape, the artist invites the viewer inside a traditional Japa...
A classic Japanese woodblock print depicting a mountain landscape featuring Mount Takamine, based on a design by Tani Bunchō—one of the most outstanding landscape artists of the Edo period and a leading representative of the nanga (bunjin-ga) school, inspired by Chinese scholar-painter art. The composition depicts a vast valley traversed by a winding river, above which two distinctive peaks...
Bronze, height 11.5 cm. Starting price: 800. Estimate: 1,000–1,200. Ask about this item.
Watercolor on canvas; 88 x 57.5 cm Starting price: 1,750 Estimate: 2,100–2,500 Ask about this item
Bronze, beads, shells, length 28 (50 cm) Starting price 300 Estimated value 500–600; inquire about this item
Bronze, height 26 cm Signed with Chinese ideograms Condition: missing deer antlers and one elephant ear Starting price: 400 Estimate: 1,200–1,500; inquire about this item
MOUNTAIN LANDSCAPE, mid-20th centuryWatercolor on paper; 45 x 175 cm (inner dimensions) Starting price 500 Estimate: 1,200–1,500; inquire about this item
Alabaster, height 9.5, diameter 7.5 cm Starting price 375 Estimated value: 600–700; ask about this item
Bronze, gilding, cloisonné enamel; 28 x 32 x 26 mm Starting price 150 Estimate: 300–300; inquire about this item
Brass, height 22.5 cm Starting bid: 225 Estimate: 400–500; ask about this item
Bronze, cloisonné enamel, gilding, height 13.5 cm. Starting price: 400. Estimate: 500–600. Inquire about this item.
Bronze, lacquer, height 15.5 cm. Starting price: 600. Estimate: 800–1,000. Ask about this item.
Bronze, height 25 cm Starting bid: 300 Estimated value: 500–600; inquire about this item
Bronze, 6 x 18 x 5.5 cm Lot number: 417 Starting price: 200; Estimate: 300–400; Inquire about this item