Japanese cloisonne box makes more than £3,000 at Shrewsbury auction
A beautiful Japanese cloisonne box and cover was the star of Halls Fine Art’s Asian Art auction in Shrewsbury as it sold above estimate for £3,330.
The 285-lot auction produced encouraging results for Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Islamic and South East Asian objects, with the cloisonne box and cover by Hayashi Kodenji (1831-1915) stealing the show.
From the Meiji era - late 19th century - the box and cover was finely worked in silver and gold wire with a scene of Mount Fuji and a boat in the foreground.
“Kodenji was one of the masters of Japanese cloisonne and his work attracts a lot of attention,” said Halls Fine Art’s Asian Art specialist Alexander Clement. “It was consigned by a Shrewsbury vendor and sold to a bidder in the room.”
Other stars of the Japanese objects were two lots from the Meiji era. A pair of Satsuma floor vases, which came from a deceased estate in Shrewsbury, sold for £3,000 and a Satsuma vase and cover by Tokozan, from a Chester vendor, made £1,550.
A rare Chinese silver-inlaid, bronze figure of Guanyin, goddess of mercy and compassion, which was discovered in North Powys sold for £2,700. The 55cms high figure from the Qing Dynasty was modelled standing atop a dragon
"This large figure from the late 18th century or first part of the 19th century was quite rare and Guanyin is a favourite in Chinese culture," said Alexander.
Another North Powys vendor enjoyed a good day at the auction as a Chinese Claire de Lune amphora vase with wood stand sold for £2,600 and a Chinese Doucai style miniature cabaret tea service from the Qing Dynasty made £2,100.
Leading prices for other Chinese objects were £1,400 for an amphora vase with wood stand, £1,150 for a landscape ink and colour on silk by a follower of Zhao Boju, £900 for a Dayazhai porcelain bottle vase, £850 for a copper red bowl with Qianlong seal mark from a Cheshire collection, £800 each for a 19th century famille rose vase, a group of Qing Dynasty embroidered textiles and a pair of 18th century Canton famille rose tureens and covers, £500 for a rare blue and white bird feeder and £440 for pair of 19 century famille verte vases and covers discovered at a charity valuation event in Aberystwyth.
Highlighting the wider demand for Asian Art, a large 19th century Anglo-Indian coromandel work box from Sri Lanka sold for £600 and a collection of 19th-20th century Islamic metalwares made £440.
"It was really encouraging to see good prices right across the board," added Alexander. "Looking at our sales figures for the last couple of years, it’s pleasing to note that our Asian Art department is growing and achieving better prices for exciting objects.
"If anybody has Asian items that they wish to sell or value, please get in touch because it’s well worth getting a professional assessment. The market is still strong and there are some very pleasing surprises for our vendors and us."
