Welcome to Cynthia Shaver Asian Art Appraiser Newsletter May 2023,

Yes, this newsletter is quite late. I’m having fun. I’m busy, I’m a little lazy, and I’m 72. 

My work took me around the world, on a steamship in 1880 and discovered a large Persian thickly glazed 18” charger that has been a fun rabbit hole to wander. Below is similar and was pointed out to me by Forrest McGill of Asian Art Museum. Naturally picked up Canton Rose in Shanghai too.
https://searchcollection.asianart.org/objects/18662/plate?ctx=2505266aaecf07e77d27c249b28aed2ea0a5a1b4&idx=2

Another job, for IRS stepped-up basis, presented me with new material to research like Mughal jewelry.  I learned about the use and importance of colored enamel and the many variations of 19th c. Indian gold earrings. The below website, really an advertisement, showed a variety of gold earrings available.
https://www.1stdibs.com/buy/antique-indian-earrings/

Fabulous exhibit, videos and more
https://www.seattleartmuseum.org/exhibitions/ikat

A must see, you will come out happier than you went in. The art is lovely.
https://exhibitions.asianart.org/exhibitions/beyond-bollywood-2000-years-of-dance-in-art/

I have an assistant now, Kalim Winata, who changed careers in his 50’s, joined American Society of Appraisers, and has been a long-time member of Society for Asian Art at Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. As new appraiser, Kalim needs to have at least three years of working with another Asian Art appraiser and I’m the lucky one. His special area of interest is SE Asia and he is fluent and reads several Asian languages. It is my job to show him the importance and wealth of an appraiser is their network and my is golden.

Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter. Go out and enjoy some art,

Cynthia