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Elegant Kimono Obi
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 Japanese Doll very elegant and beautiful wearing a colorful Kimono and Obi  US $140.00
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The U.S. collectibles market is a dynamic $7 billion industry. However, the emerging market for Asian collectibles is beginning to come to fruition in America... as well as around the world. For instance, China is quickly becoming a major center for Chinese art and antiques. New collectors and auction houses around the world appear every day selling Chinese art. Asian people, from China and elsewhere, are increasingly hungry for Oriental collectibles, decor, and art as they are making their homes all over the world.
The question becomes, How can I get good, vintage collectibles for my home, office, and family? Without a doubt, there are many collectibles that are manufactured cheaply and sold in major U.S. retail stores every year. The real challenge is finding quality collectibles from Asia that truly express the culture of the East at a fair price.
One way to gauge what "quality" means in a tangible way is to investigate the producers of Asian collectibles overseas. An example of such might be the Chinese Figurines of Shiwan. Shiwan has been called "the Ceramic Capital in China." Shiwan is an old town in the southern part of Guangdong province. Its reputation for beautiful and elegant ceramic figurines has been famous for hundreds of years. Plus, the traditional Shiwan ceramic skills and techniques have been passed down through many generations of craftsmen.
This is one example of what quality workmanship means in the Asian homeland. In Shiwan, there is a place called "The Figurines Street." The two craftsmen who create Oriental figurines are Master Lin Wei Dung and Master Lin Wei Ho. They are two brothers who are very well known in this particular region of China for their unsurpassed skill. Their statues have been made for many years in this region. However, they have received almost no competition because no other artists are able to match their particular level of detail in creating beautiful figurines. Their figurines are not cheap, because they are made with such superior skill that they become works of art in a short period of time!
So it goes without saying that many U.S.-based retailers get their Oriental figurines and collectibles from Oriental manufacturers. Even so, before you buy directly from overseas manufacturers always check out the details on these imported items. A safe strategy could be to visit the website or several store locations operated by "Ten Thousand Villages" here in the U.S. This company often contracts with Asian merchants overseas to bring fairly traded, authentic figurines for home decoration. They conveniently cut out all the hassle of dealing with overseas manufacturers and the expensive shipping costs that always go with the import business.
Probably the single most popular Oriental figurine is the Japanese Geisha. In consideration of the Geisha's near feverish appeal, it is easy to understand why so many people are seeking this kind of collectible. The Japanese tradition of Geishas was an intimate part of the whole "floating world" of Japanese nightlife in old Japan. This era of the past has fascinated the west since Japan opened up to the modern world. The unique and elegant beauty of the Geishas was a result of remarkable attention to detail. The Geishas were famous for their graceful and deliberate movements, their highly refined posture, and the interesting make-up worn on their faces. Admirers of the Geisha also note their beautiful kimono and obi, as well as their distinctive hairstyle, decorative combs, and hair pins.
Once again, the most reliable factor that separates true quality figurines from other products in the Asian collectibles market is meticulous attention to detail in their construction. Bear in mind though that the more attention to detail there is the more money you will have to pay for such a vintage piece of artwork.
Another way to discover what kinds of Oriental collectibles are available to you now is to visit private collectors in your area. You might also visit your local Chinatown shops and grocers because these businesses often carry imported collectibles. This is the fastest and most direct way to find collectibles of the Asian style. Finding the right collectibles for yourself and family will take some effort though. So don't be discouraged. Your patience will be rewarded in time. Let it be known that you are in the market for these beautiful items. Get your name, email address, and telephone number out there on the Asian internet cities. Your exciting and lucky journey begins today!
Harlan Urwiler helping you with all your Asian Collectibles questions!
A Marvellous Dutchman Netsuke of US$230.000,- !
A netsuke (net-skeh) is a miniature sculpture developed in Japan over a period of more than three hundred years. The kimono, the traditional form of Japanese dress, had no pockets. Men suspended pouches (inro) on a silk cord from their sash (obi) . To stop the cord from slipping through the "obi", a small toggle is attached. That small toggle is the "netsuke".
Dutchman
The netsuke referred to in the headline of this article was auctioned at the German auctionhouse Lempertz on 27 November 2004. It was estimated at $60.000,- (Euro 40.000) but was hammered at a sensational US$230.000,- (Euro 154.000). This unusually large (H 5 2/5") ivory netsuke of a standing Dutchman holding a dead hare over his shoulder which is attached to a gun, dated late 18th Century, stands out by two characteristics: the somewhat caricature-like facial features and elegant dress, as well as his occupation as a hunter whose bait is an indication of the "South Barbarian meat eaters".
Why US$230.000,-?
The exraordinary hammer price of US$230.000,- for this specific piece can be explained by looking at its history, theme, craftmanship, condition and off course by its rarity. The object made its way over 100 years in famous netsuke collections, and was already publicized in 1895 by the Japonist art dealer Marcus B. Huish. The representation of the Westerner, especially that of the Dutchman in Japanese art (in woodblock prints and netsuke) is a much coveted subject. This because of the striking depiction by the Japanese artists of this "strange" people from another world giving the beholder a very insightful and comic explanation of the encounter of two very different cultures. The unknown creator, it is unsigned, of this particular netsuke had to be a masterful craftsman because of his magnificent eye for detail and its elegant look. The specific subject of the Dutchman is not uncommon but a quality piece in this condition in combination with its age is a very rare find.
More examples
During the last decades there are more examples of highlights in prices concerning netsukes. On May 1990 at auctionhouse Sotheby's in London a netsuke of a horse was hammered at US$260,000,- and through an anitques dealer at Oriental Treasures and Points West in Honolulu a netsuke representing a "Awabi Girl and Octopus" (like Hokusai's famous "Dream of Fisherman's Wife (Octopus)" shunga design!) was sold at approx. US$250,000.
Themes
Netsuke carvers mostly worked in a bounded area of subjects and themes such as scenes of daily life, animals, erotic encounters (shunga), the signs of the zodiac or subjects with a mythical background. Whatever its subject or theme netsuke is a very attractive and highly collectable art form and the interesting pieces will only continue to increase in value.
Books
One of the most referred books among netsuke collectors are Lazarnick's ' The Signature Book of Netsuke' and from the same author 'Netsuke & Inro Artists, and How to Read Their Signatures'. Both have been issued in limited editions, the first one in 500 copies and the latter in 876 copies. These books are unmissable for the serious netsuke collector. More recommended books on netsuke are 'Netsuke: The Tokyo Meiko Kagami , Tokyo Living Masters List' by Shingo Yamaguchi, 'Netsuke: Fantasy and Reality in Japanese Miniature Sculpture' by Joe Earle and 'Expressions of Style: Netsuke as Art' by Rosemary Bandini.
Netsuke Organisations
International Netsuke Society
International Netsuke Carvers' Association
About the Author
We have a website called AK-Antiek and offer a large and varied collection of antique, jewelry and art. We are specialized in classic (Art Deco, Victorian...etc.) and modern jewelry, Japanese Woodblock Prints , shunga, Netsuke, inro, Cameo, antique coins, modern art and antique watches.
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