Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

Online Auction: 26 October–5 November 2021 • 2:00 PM GMT • London

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art 26 October–5 November 2021 • 2:00 PM GMT • London

T aking place from 26 October–5 November, Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art comprises works throughout Japanese history unified by a sense of realising a perfection of their craft, from early Buddhist sculptures, Kakiemon porcelain, to elegant folding screens of the Edo period. Taking us closer to the modern day, the sale will feature works by artists in and associated with the Mingei arts and craft movement such as Shoji Hamada, Bernard Leach, Shimaoka Tatsuzo, and a collection of prints and paintings by the remarkable Munakata Shiko.

Auction Highlights

Scroll through to view more artworks

A Haniwa model of a horse | Kofun Period, 6th - 7th century

A Haniwa model of a horse | Kofun Period, 6th - 7th century

Estimate: 40,000 – 60,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Seated wood figure of Amida Nyorai [Amitabha Buddha] | Heian period, 12th century

Seated wood figure of Amida Nyorai [Amitabha Buddha] | Heian period, 12th century

Estimate: 70,000 – 90,000 GBP

Estimate: 70,000 – 90,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

A Korean storage jar | Joseon dynasty, 18th century

A Korean storage jar | Joseon dynasty, 18th century

Estimate: 50,000 – 100,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Park Sookeun (1914-1965) | Untitled | 1964

Park Sookeun (1914-1965) | Untitled | 1964

Estimate: 200,000 – 300,000 GBP

Estimate: 200,000 – 300,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Shiraga Kazuo (1924-2008) | Untitled | 20th century

Shiraga Kazuo (1924-2008) | Untitled | 20th century

Estimate: 6,000 – 10,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Azuma Kenjiro (1926-2016) | MU-750 | 1975

Azuma Kenjiro (1926-2016) | MU-750 | 1975

Estimate: 6,000 – 8,000 GBP

Estimate: 6,000 – 8,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

A pair of Nabeshima bowls | Edo period, late 17th - early 18th century

A pair of Nabeshima bowls | Edo period, late 17th - early 18th century

Estimate: 20,000 – 30,000 GBP

Estimate: 20,000 – 30,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

A Kakiemon barbers bowl | Edo period, late 17th century

A Kakiemon barbers bowl | Edo period, late 17th century

Estimate: 10,000 – 15,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

A Kakiemon figure of a bijin | Edo period, late 17th century

A Kakiemon figure of a bijin | Edo period, late 17th century

Estimate: 15,000 – 20,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

A rectangular karabitsu | Momoyama period, late 16th century

A rectangular karabitsu | Momoyama period, late 16th century

Estimate: 8,000 – 10,000 GBP

Estimate: 8,000 – 10,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

A Haniwa terracotta of a warrior | Kofun period, 6th-7th century

A Haniwa terracotta of a warrior | Kofun period, 6th-7th century

Estimate: 15,000 – 18,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Exhibition Times

October 30	12:00 PM - 5:00 PM BST
October 31	12:00 PM - 5:00 PM GMT
November 1	9:00 AM - 4:30 PM GMT
November 2	9:00 AM - 4:30 PM GMT

A Private European Collection of Munakata Prints and Paintings and a Group of Ceramics by Shimaoka Tatsuzo

Featured Lots

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Munakata Shiko (1903-1975) | A Large Face (Ogao no saku) | Showa period, 20th century

Munakata Shiko (1903-1975) | A Large Face (Ogao no saku) | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 8,000 – 10,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Munakata Shiko (1903-1975) | Mermaids (Ningyozu) | Showa period, 20th century

Munakata Shiko (1903-1975) | Mermaids (Ningyozu) | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 7,000 – 9,000 GBP

Estimate: 7,000 – 9,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Munakata Shiko (1903-1975) | In Praise of Flower Hunting (Hanakari sho) | Showa period, 20th century

Munakata Shiko (1903-1975) | In Praise of Flower Hunting (Hanakari sho) | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 40,000 – 50,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Munakata Shiko (1903-1975) | Samantabhadra, Incarnation of Buddha's Fundamental Law (Fugen bosatsu) | Showa period, 20th century

Munakata Shiko (1903-1975) | Samantabhadra, Incarnation of Buddha's Fundamental Law (Fugen bosatsu) | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 15,000 – 20,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Munakata Shiko (1903-1975) | Rahula, Master of the Esoteric (Ragora no saku) | Showa period, 20th century

Munakata Shiko (1903-1975) | Rahula, Master of the Esoteric (Ragora no saku) | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 20,000 – 30,000 GBP

Estimate: 20,000 – 30,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Munakata Shiko (1903-1975) | Heaven and Earth (Kenkon) | Showa period, 20th century

Munakata Shiko (1903-1975) | Heaven and Earth (Kenkon) | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 8,000 – 12,000 GBP

Estimate: 8,000 – 12,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Munakata Shiko (1903-1975) | Falling goddess and demon in a garden | Showa period, 20th century

Munakata Shiko (1903-1975) | Falling goddess and demon in a garden | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 5,000 – 7,000 GBP

Estimate: 5,000 – 7,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Munakata Shiko (1903-1975) | Princess Kuchinashi (Kuchinashi hi no saku) | Showa period, 20th century

Munakata Shiko (1903-1975) | Princess Kuchinashi (Kuchinashi hi no saku) | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 3,000 – 4,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Munakata Shiko (1903-1975) | Female bust | Showa period, 20th century

Munakata Shiko (1903-1975) | Female bust | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 8,000 – 10,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Munakata Shiko (1903-1975) | Mount Kinpoku (Kinpoku san zu) | Showa period, 20th century

Munakata Shiko (1903-1975) | Mount Kinpoku (Kinpoku san zu) | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 5,000 – 8,000 GBP

Estimate: 5,000 – 8,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Munakata Shiko (1903-1975) | Four Gods Riding on Horses (Shishin kiku no zu) | Showa period, 20th century

Munakata Shiko (1903-1975) | Four Gods Riding on Horses (Shishin kiku no zu) | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 30,000 – 40,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Munakata Shiko (1903-1975) | Hawk Woman (Taka onna no saku) | Showa period, 20th century

Munakata Shiko (1903-1975) | Hawk Woman (Taka onna no saku) | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 10,000 – 15,000 GBP

Estimate: 10,000 – 15,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Shimaoka Tatsuzo (1917-2007) | A stoneware bottle vase | Showa period, 20th century

Shimaoka Tatsuzo (1917-2007) | A stoneware bottle vase | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 6,000 – 8,000 GBP

Estimate: 6,000 – 8,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Shimaoka Tatsuzo (1917-2007) | A stoneware bottle vase | Showa period, 20th century

Shimaoka Tatsuzo (1917-2007) | A stoneware bottle vase | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 4,000 – 6,000 GBP

Estimate: 4,000 – 6,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Shimaoka Tatsuzo (1917-2007) | A stoneware chawan [tea bowl] | Showa period, 20th century

Shimaoka Tatsuzo (1917-2007) | A stoneware chawan [tea bowl] | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 1,500 – 2,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Mingei: A Dialogue between Japanese and English Folk Craft

Featured Lots

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Bernard Leach (1897-1979) | A stoneware bowl | Showa period, 20th century

Bernard Leach (1897-1979) | A stoneware bowl | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 2,000 – 3,000 GBP

Estimate: 2,000 – 3,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Attributed to Bernard Leach (1887-1979)| Two slipware dishes | Showa period, 20th century

Attributed to Bernard Leach (1887-1979)| Two slipware dishes | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 700 – 900 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Bernard Leach (1887-1979) | A slipware dish | Showa period, 20th century

Bernard Leach (1887-1979) | A slipware dish | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 1,500 – 2,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Bernard Leach (1887-1979) | A slipware dish | Showa period, 20th century

Bernard Leach (1887-1979) | A slipware dish | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 1,000 – 1,500 GBP

Estimate: 1,000 – 1,500 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Bernard Leach (1887-1979) | A stoneware jug | Showa period, 20th century

Bernard Leach (1887-1979) | A stoneware jug | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 1,000 – 1,500 GBP

Estimate: 1,000 – 1,500 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Attributed to Bernard Leach (1887-1979) | Owl | Showa period, 20th century

Attributed to Bernard Leach (1887-1979) | Owl | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 600 – 800 GBP

Estimate: 600 – 800 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Munakata Shiko (1903-1975) | Kanji (Kanji no saku) | Showa period, 20th century

Munakata Shiko (1903-1975) | Kanji (Kanji no saku) | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 4,000 – 6,000 GBP

Estimate: 4,000 – 6,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

A basket | Signed Koshosai | Showa period, 20th century

A basket | Signed Koshosai | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 2,000 – 3,000 GBP

Estimate: 2,000 – 3,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

A basket | Signed Hakuhosai | Showa period, 20th century

A basket | Signed Hakuhosai | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 1,500 – 2,000 GBP

Estimate: 1,500 – 2,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Torri Ippo (1930-2011) | Sound of wave (basket) | Signed Yuichi | Showa period, 20th century

Torri Ippo (1930-2011) | Sound of wave (basket) | Signed Yuichi | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 10,000 – 15,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Monden Yuichi (b. 1942) | Showa period, 20th century

Monden Yuichi (b. 1942) | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 3,000 – 4,000 GBP

Estimate: 3,000 – 4,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

A Hawaiian Collection of Shoji Hamada from the late George N. Wago

Featured Lots

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Hamada Shoji (1894-1978) | A stoneware vase | Showa period, 20th century

Hamada Shoji (1894-1978) | A stoneware vase | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 2,000 – 3,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Hamada Shoji (1894-1978) | A stoneware vase | Showa period, 20th century

Hamada Shoji (1894-1978) | A stoneware vase | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 2,000 – 3,000 GBP

Estimate: 2,000 – 3,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Hamada Shoji (1894-1978) | A stoneware bottle vase | Showa period, 20th century

Hamada Shoji (1894-1978) | A stoneware bottle vase | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 3,000 – 4,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Hamada Shoji (1894-1978) | A stoneware bottle vase | Showa period, 20th century

Hamada Shoji (1894-1978) | A stoneware bottle vase | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 3,000 – 4,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Hamada Shoji (1894-1978) | A stoneware vase | Showa period, 20th century

Hamada Shoji (1894-1978) | A stoneware vase | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 2,000 – 3,000 GBP

Estimate: 2,000 – 3,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Hamada Shoji (1894-1978) | A cylindrical stoneware vase | Showa period, 20th century

Hamada Shoji (1894-1978) | A cylindrical stoneware vase | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 5,000 – 7,000 GBP

Estimate: 5,000 – 7,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Hamada Shoji (1894-1978) | An octagonal stoneware dish | Showa period, 20th century

Hamada Shoji (1894-1978) | An octagonal stoneware dish | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 4,000 – 6,000 GBP

Estimate: 4,000 – 6,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Hamada Shoji (1894-1978) | A square stoneware dish | Showa period, 20th century

Hamada Shoji (1894-1978) | A square stoneware dish | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 3,000 – 4,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Shimaoka Tatsuzo (1917-2007) | A stoneware dish | Showa period, 20th century

Shimaoka Tatsuzo (1917-2007) | A stoneware dish | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 1,500 – 2,000 GBP

Estimate: 1,500 – 2,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Hamada Shoji (1894-1978) | A stoneware dish | Showa period, 20th century

Hamada Shoji (1894-1978) | A stoneware dish | Showa period, 20th century

Estimate: 1,500 – 2,000 GBP

Estimate: 1,500 – 2,000 GBP

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

26 October–5 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

Masters of Enamel: The Collection of John and Muriel Okladek | Including Further Japanese Works of Art from the Meiji Period, 1868-1912

22 October–3 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

The Samurai: Japanese Arms and Armour

25 October–2 November 2021 | 2:00 PM GMT | London

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