Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2009 | Page 58

life ANTIQUES Antiques and Collectables - Ephemeral Beauty By Philip Hoare - F.T.V.I During my long journey through the world and some onto silver, in most cases until the outbreak of WW1 in 1914, of antiques and fine art, over forty years the decoration reflected the beauty of substantial quantities of Enamels were now, I have always been enamoured with ephemeral life on earth; cherry blossom, produced and exported. There were three the subtlety and fineness of Japanese Art; flowers in bloom, butterflies etc. main centres of creation; Nargoya, Tokyo, in particular the exquisite intricacy of and Kyoto. As this demand increased Japanese Enamel Work. however, so, inevitably the quality When I commenced my apprenticeship diminished (Mass production). Finer at Philips the Auctioneers, Bond Street examples are now very rare and extremely in 1966, part of my learning curve was sought after by collectors. If, for instance, to handle and ‘Lot Up’ the specialist they are signed and in perfect condition auctions. One of my early experiences the demand is very great. A fine Kytoto was a Japanese sale and this high-quality school piece that would have been auction certainly commenced my love purchased in 1970 for just £100 could affair with Japanese art and Culture. now be worth at least £10,000. During that time in the sixties, echoes The Japanese themselves are actively of World War Two still rang in the seeking to recover their works of art consciousness of the British population, today. And most of the significant prices and there was stigma attached to all achieved are to Japanese buyers. things Japanese. That particular sale contained a cross section of Japanese Philip Hoare has been a specialist and a Art and Culture, from Paintings, Lacquer valuer of Art and Antiques for over 40 Ware, Ceramics, Ivories, Swords, Armour and Netsuke. I remember one exceptionally fine piece in that auction Shippo enamal vase by Namikawa Yasuyuki M6IJI period Kyoto school, 6 1/8 inches high. only fetched £250.00! It was a truly From about 1870 the Japanese embellished with silver and gold (Shakudo commenced exhibitions of their wares in and Shibuichi). This piece would realise Europe and North America. So impressed over £50,000 if it were offered on the were those who viewed them that market today. demand increased considerably, indeed the village of Toshima became known all however, were the superb Enamel as Shippo Mura which translated means objects (Shippo), some worked on copper ‘Village of Enamels’. From the 1870’s, 58 Antiques please contact him on: . Mobile: [phone] magnificent, life-size, Bronze Eagle The pieces that impressed me most of years for further information on Art and Email: [email protected]