Welcome to Cynthia Shaver Asian Art Appraiser Newsletter October 2022,
The month of September was full of virtual office appointments. The common theme among all, was they all contained at least one Japanese woodblock print from late 1800’s. Japanese antique and vintage businesses report that woodblock prints did particularly well during the Covid epidemic. They continue to be popular due to their mobility and size and a price point that is attainable for many. Checking regional auction houses confirms this statistic.
One virtual appointment included a collection of Asian textiles from a grandmother who was a textile historian. That gave me the value element to look for, why was this particular cloth chosen, the weave structure or the pattern or the dye selected. It was fun to explain to the heir what was unique about her group of special family treasures.
Also enjoyed scholarship exchanges with Anna Jackson from the Victoria & Albert Museum. Please, if you can, watch any of the YouTube videos of Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk, the exhibition at the V & A museum right now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEf0iFNTVGw
The catalog is a delight, a must read and look at photo catalog. There are examples of kimono made entirely or partially, of foreign fabric, as well as Western clothing made from special kimono cloth. All this was done late 1700’s through the 19th c. There is even an early 19th c painting of Austrian aristocratic woman in kimono fabric costume from old castle in the exhibition. This exchange of ideas and scholarship I so enjoy. A woman with a remarkable knowledge of all that I cherish.
I did save one link to post that I believe is timely and important: Giving Art back
https://www.artsjournal.com/culturegrrl/2022/09/repatriation-ruminations-how-can-us-museums-stop-hemorrhaging-art.html
Enjoy your month,
Cynthia.