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Asian art

Many facets of Asian art offered in Jasper52 auction May 1

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
Asian art
Han Dynasty, 206 B.C.-A.D. 220, horse sculpture, 8¾ in. Estimate: $2,500-$3,000. Jasper52 image

NEW YORK – Asian art and antiques through the ages are presented in a Jasper52 online auction on Tuesday, May 1. The more than 50 lots going up for bid include fine Japanese weaponry, carved netsuke, Tibetan thangkas, porcelain and jade. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

Among the oldest pieces in the sale is a Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 220) figure of a horse (above). In early China, owning a horse required wealth and status and eventually became a sign of a person’s social standing. According to Chinese tradition, there existed a horse so powerful and beautiful that it was believed to have come from heaven. During the Han Dynasty, the horse was rendered in miniature sculptural form and buried with the deceased to aid them during the journey to the afterlife. The 8¾-inch-long horse offered in the auction is estimated at $2,500-$3,000

A 15th-century Japanese samurai sword in shirasaya (scabbard) offered in the sale was made by Bizen Osafune Kanemitsu, who signed the weapon. The nearly 32-inch-long curved sword (below) has a $5,000-$6,000 estimate.

Asian art
Japanese samurai sword, circa 1400, 39.9 in. long. Estimate: $5,000-$6,000. Jasper52 image

The metal pommel at the end of the hilt of a Japanese sword is known as a kashira. Several of these small decorative pieces are available in the auction, including a 19th century Edo Period kashira having metal inlays depicting wispy clouds supporting a tiger, a shishi and a kirin (est. $250-$300).

Asian art
Edo period Japanese kashira (pommel at the end of the hilt of a sword) with metal inlays depicting wispy clouds supporting a tiger, a shishi and a kirin. Estimate: $250-$300. Jasper52 image

A half dozen 19th century netsuke, carved toggles used to fasten a small container to a kimono sash, are offered in the auction. A 2 5/8-inch okimono-style (an object intended to be displayed) boxwood netsuke depicts Bishamonten, one of the seven Japanese gods of good fortune and at the same time an armor-clad god of war. The figure is signed Kogyoku, a known carver, on the back. It has a $1,500-$2,000 estimate.

Asian art
Okimono-style boxwood netsuke of Bishamonten, one of the seven gods of good fortune, and an armor-clad god of war and warriors, signed Kogyoku, in oval reserve on the back, 2 5/8 in. Estimate: $1,500-$2,000. Jasper52 image

An early 19th century Tibetan thangka in the Jasper52 auction depicts Bodhisattva Amoghapasha—a three-faced and four-armed manifestation of Avalokiteśvara, a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. This thangka is a painting of excellent and comes from an old Washington, D.C., collection. (est. $1,500-$2,000).

Asian art
Early 19th century Tibetan thangka depicting Bodhisattva Amoghapasha, beautifully painted with natural mineral pigments on cotton, original silk mounts, original silk gauze cloth protecting, 7¾ in. x 6¼ in. Estimate: $1,500-$2,000. Jasper52 image

Dating from the 10th century, a 16-inch carved stone figure from a devi temple in central India is expected to sell for $3,500-$4,000.

Asian art
Carved stone devi temple figure from Madhya Pradesh, India, 10th century, 16 in. high. Estimate: $3,500-$4,000. Jasper52 image

This Jasper52 auction will be held Tuesday, May 1, beginning at 6 p.m. Eastern.

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