As evidenced by prices recently recorded on these pages for Meiji and earlier material, collectors and dealers have been ahead of the City analysts currently looking at the revival of the Japanese stock exchange.
The 80% success rate of the 56 lots of Japanese art offered at Chiswick Auctions (22% buyer’s premium) on February 28 was, said Asian department head, Lazarus Halstead, “an encouraging sign and one that follows Yasuko Kido joining us as a Japanese specialist”.
Topping the section was a wooden screen comprising two 6ft 3in x 2ft 7in (1.90m x 79cm) panels decorated in high relief with ivory, bone, mother-of-pearl and lacquer.