Lempertz has been auctioning Asian art for one hundred years. On the occasion of this anniversary, one hundred exquisite Japanese woodblock prints in excellent condition are offered, from the collection of Walter Scheven. This treasure trove, hidden for 80 years, was discovered by experts of Lempertz. Further highlights of the auction are a pair of teadust ‘pomegranate’ vases from the Qianlong period for € 80,000; the same estimate is set for a Buddha Amitabha from the Ming period. A Vajrasattva on a lotus throne is offered at 38,000, and a figure of Zhen Wu with bluish-white glaze from the Wanli period for 22,000. They are surpassed, however, by a watercolour by contemporary artist Wu Guanzhong set at 100,000, followed by another for 70,000.

CHINA

Painting
Offered are works by Wu Guanzhong, Liu Kuo-sung, Chu Ko, Zeng Mi, Lee, Shi-chi, Zhou Shaohua, Chen Hsing-wan, Qiu Deshu, whose creations are seldom available within Europe. The artists of Chinese and Taiwanese contemporary painting were represented in the exhibition ‘Vision 2000’, which took place in 1998 in Lübeck and 1999 in Stuttgart’s Lindenmuseum. The actuality of the exhibition’s theme is as valid now as it was then: the controversy between globalization of art and a return to tradition. Estimated at 100,000 and 70,000 are two 1995 and 1996 abstract ink on paper works by 1919 born Wu Guanzhong; his primary medium of expression is the line (lots 297/298). An ink on paper work by Chu Ko is offered for 30,000 (lot 300), and the Crystal Clear Place by Liu Kuosung is at 16,000 (lot 299).

Sculptures
The highlight in this department is the fire-gilt bronze Buddha Amitabha from the Ming period at 80,000. The Buddha of the Endless Light, Master of Sukhavati, the Pure Land, a Paradise in the West where all feeling creatures may be reborn when calling his name with a pure heart, is sitting in meditation posture (Lot 137).

Ceramics / Porcelain
An extremely rare pair of teadust ‘pomegranate’ vases, 21 cm high, with gold decoration, from the Qianlong period with seal mark and period, they are estimated at 80,000. They are a representative example of innovative and unconventional porcelains of the Qianlong period, where the possibilities of the material and exciting new design were tested in the imperial workshops in Jingdezhen (lot 228).

TIBET / NEPAL / INDIA

Created in Nepal around 1600, the outstanding lot is a 33 cm high fire-gilt bronze Vajrasattva on a lotus throne for 38,000 (lot 93). The top lot of Indian art is a Pakistani reliquary from the Gandhara region at 16,000 (lot 5)

JAPAN

Walter von Scheven Collection
With profound knowledge, the Rhenish collector Walter von Scheven assembled famous Japanese woodblock prints between 1912 and 1932, which were exhibited in a western German museum. The collection features important sheets by Japanese artists Hokusai, Utamaro, Harunobu and others who had great influence on classic European art, and contributed to so-called Japonism in Europe. One of the most important is the famous wave by Hokusai from the series ‘36 views of Mount Fuji’ at 20,000 (lot 546). An additional two ôban from the series are estimated at 12,000 each (lots 547/548). A double portrait of the famous Sumo wrestler Tanikaze and the oiran Okita by Katsukawa Shunchô is set at 10,000 (lot 503).

Decorative Art
Among the highlights is a very large cabinet of wood, lacquer and bone from the late 19th century (lot 734, 35,000). Made in 1900 by Muneyoshi, a large pheasant is offered at 32,000 (lot 693).

Netsuke
The Netsuke offer comprises more than 160 objects, the outstanding piece featuring a monkey savouring a mistletoe. The boxwood object is set at 8,500 (lot 937). An ivory foreigner from the late 19th century is offered for 5,000 (lot 862). The same estimate applies to a grazing ivory horse from around 1800 (lot 921).

Contact

Online Catalogue (German with English short descriptions)

Highlights

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