Japanese Works of Art

The Japanese Works of Art sale on 21st May features approximately 180 lots and includes two Edo period (1615-1868) suits of armour from the private collection of Sir Henry Norman 1st Baronet Privy Councillor (1858-1939), from his collection at Ramster Hall, Surrey. The author of several books on Japan including 'The Real Japan, Studies of Contemporary Japanese Manners, Morals, Administration and Politics' these two impressive suits of armour are some of the many souvenirs he brought back from a country that fascinated him.  

The sale will also include several pieces from the collection of R. Soame Jenyns (1904-1976). Assistant Keeper of Antiquities at the British Museum, Jenyns is also known for having written several seminal works on Chinese and Japanese art. The cup stand, tenmoku-dai (lot 333), is an unusual example of Japanese red and black negoro-style lacquer with relief decoration.

Other highlights include a rare Edo-period matchlock carbine with inlaid decoration signed Tomioka Saheiji Yoshihisa (lot 239), an early karatsu dish painted with reeds (lot 353) and good-quality cloisonné pieces, such as lot 200, a tall vase by Ando Jubei decorated with crows and bamboo.