Archives: Art For Sale

Art For Sale

A Fine Old Lake Sentani Bowl New Guinea North West Papua Irian Jaya Indonesia

A Fine Old New Guinea Bowl Lake Sentani Area North West Papua Irian Jaya Indonesia

This fine old and well-used bowl is from the Lake Sentani Area on the NW Coast of West Papua, Irian Jaya, Indonesia.  The bowl, carved from a single piece of hardwood in oval form, is slightly convex on the outside with a lug in the form of a bird or turtle head used for tying on the wall when not in use. The design on the outside is an elegantly carved chiefly design called fou.  

This old bowl I field collected at the village of Bobrongko on Lake Sentani in 1985.  In 1985 -1986, I spent several months visiting every village on Lake Sentani and other mainland villages close by. The people in the villages were always very kind, warm & generous during my visits, and to my great surprise & delight, people in the villages still had & used old wooden bowls. I bought many fine 19th-century – Early 20th-century bowls at this time, this being one of them.

Lake Sentani art is very unique on the Island of New Guinea; their art was calm & serene, and beautiful without the often-aggressive look common to the Sepik or Asmat areas.  I saw similarities between the styles of Lake Sentani and the Massim Cultures of Milne Bay Province in Papua New Guinea.

Lake Sentani has had a very long history of trading with people from Southeast Asia who came looking for Bird of Paradise feathers. These trade links were so old that there were Dongson era bronze age artefacts in archaeological sites & still in use in villages like ancient glass ornaments, bangles & beads, & ancient bronze kettle drums, and ceramics.

In the months I spent staying in villages in Lake Sentani, I made collections of everyday objects like bowls, paddles, and utensils (some other Lake Sentani objects will be listed on my website).  I still have a small collection of old Lake Sentani Plates that were gifted to my mother and came back to me after she passed away.

On a custom stand where it can be displayed on a table or shelf.

In Australia, at the National Gallery of Australia, we have one of the most significant Lake Sentani figures in their collection, a double ancestor figure that once belonged to the famous British American Artist Sir Jacob Epstein. This superb figure is always a great pleasure to look at.

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of New Guinea Oceanic Art

Excellent References: Art of Northwest New Guinea by Suzanne Greub 1992

Ancestors of the Lake: Art of Lake Sentani & Humboldt Bay, New Guinea 199,1 Edited by Virginia-Lee Webb

See my new EXHIBITIONS GALLERY  showing the Museums and Art Galleries Exhibitions that I provided artworks for over the past 40 years. There is a link to the article about my artworks published in the prestigious Louvre Magazine in 1996

I have artwork for Museums and art Galleries, but also for collectors at every stage of their collecting. I want to encourage people to explore the fine art of New Guinea & West Papua and the Pacific Islands, and to be able to see and touch the artworks in a relaxed and friendly manner in my Sydney Gallery. I would like to invite you to visit my gallery and see the artworks in person and also look at my website www.oceanicartsaustralia.com where there are many Galleries & Sub Galleries to explore.

My Gallery of nearly 40 years is the last physical gallery in Sydney that specializes in New Guinea and Oceanic Art.  Sydney is very close to New Guinea & the Pacific Islands, where all of these amazing artworks came from, Australia’s closest neighbours.

INQUIRE HERE

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare & beautiful antiques and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us 

 

A Fine Collection of Six Antique African Passport Masks West Africa

A Fine Collection of Antique African Passport Masks West Africa

Most Dan face masks genre, and those of the culturally related groups of Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia, are commonly executed in a miniature form, ranging in height between 6 and 20 centimetres.

Even the largest miniatures are too small to be worn in front of the face, and they rarely exhibit any means by which they may be attached to anything. The most common mask type represented in such a diminutive form is deangle (attractive mask with slit eyes, performs a feminine behaviour)

Miniature masks bear many names: the most common is ma go (small head), but depending on scholarship it has also be named gba po (thing which is fed), or nyonkula (substitute for the ancestors). Echoing the variety of names, they fulfill a variety of functions. Anyone who has a spiritual connection with a mask, or whose family owns an important mask, is entitled to commission a miniature. Rubbed with oil and food, they are wrapped up and kept on the owner’s body or among his possessions and function as portable and personal forms that share the power and protective force of the full-sized mask.

Miniature masks are carved to embody tutelary spirits and serve as testimony to the presence of the spirit associated with a large masquerade. When a mask-owner is travelling, the miniature mask serves as an important means of identification outside his immediate community. This role that may have given it the commonly applied name of “passport mask.”

Diviners can advise individuals to commission a miniature mask for preventative, protective, or curative purposes.

In addition to being the property of one single individual, in certain instances miniature masks may also play a communal role in secret societies. They are among the sacred objects displayed at men’s society meetings to protect the men collectively, and can be shown to new initiates. On these occasions they are interpreted to be representations of the benevolent spirits associated with the most important masquerades of the area. They are used as sacred objects for taking oaths and for swearing to tell the truth.

Whether personal or collective, miniature masks must be fed regularly to remain strong and able to help their owner. Food may be simply set before it, or the offering, such as rice or oil, may be rubbed or poured onto it. On special occasions a sacrificed chicken’s blood is spilled onto the mask. The range of offerings and use explain the variety observed in the miniature’s patinas.

Provenance: Many Old Collections from Europe & North America. The Todd Barlin Collection of African & Oceanic Art

Sources
Fischer, Eberhard and Himmelheber, Hans. The Arts of the Dan in West Africa. Zurich: Museum Rietberg, 1984
Grootaers, Jan-Lodewijk and Bortolot, Alexander, Eds. Visions from the Forests: The Art from Liberia and Sierra Leone. Exh. Cat. Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Seattle and London: The University of Washington Press, 2014
Johnson, Barbara C. Four Dan Sculptors: Continuity and Change. Exh. Cat. The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. M. H. de Young Memorial Museum. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1986
Vandenhoute, Pieter-Jan, 1938–1939 unpublished field notes, as cited by Claessens, Bruno in Refined Eye, Passionate Heart: African Art from the Leslie Sacks Collection. Amanda M. Maples Ed. Milano, Italy: Skira, [2013]

See my new EXHIBITIONS GALLERY  showing the Museums and Art Galleries Exhibitions that I provided artworks for over the past 40 years. There is the link to the article about my artworks published in the prestigious Louvre Magazine in 1996

I have artwork for Museums and art Galleries but also for collectors at every stage of their collecting. I want to encourage people to explore the fine art of New Guinea & West Papua and the Pacific Islands and to be able to see and touch the artworks in a relaxed and friendly manner in my Sydney Gallery. I would like to invite you to visit my gallery and see the artworks in person and also look at my website www.oceanicartsaustralia.com where there are many Galleries & Sub Galleries to explore.

My Gallery of nearly 40 years is the last physical gallery in Sydney that specializes in New Guinea and Oceanic Art.  Sydney is very close to New Guinea & the Pacific Islands where all of these amazing artworks came from, Australia’s closest neighbors.

 

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us 

 

A Fine Old Aboriginal Bark Painting from Western Arnhem Land Northern Territory Australia

A Fine Old Aboriginal Bark Painting  from the Oenpelli Area in Western Arnhem Land Northern Australia

The painting depicts Mimih Spirits Hunting, where they carry their spears, woomera (spear thrower), and Dilly Bags. The Mimih spirits live in the nooks and crannies of the rocky landscape, coming out at night. They are said to be so thin and frail that they can emerge from their hiding places only when there is no wind, otherwise, they would be blown away. The Mimih not only created these lively self-portraits, but also are the dreaming ancestors who taught people to paint, hunt, dance, and compose songs. They are like humans, but they live in a different dimension. They were depicted during the freshwater period. The Mimi are dangerous if approached the wrong way, may kick, knee, slap, smash with a racket-like object or sit on someone, which causes sometimes fatal injuries.

Also depicted is Wititj the python & Manmakkawarri (the salmon catfish) Catfish which is a good eating fish, it is found in the freshwater rivers, creeks, and waterholes of West Arnhem Land. There is a Catfish Dreaming site in Gunbalanya Wititj who appears in the sacred Wagilag Sisters’ Story. A simple version of the story goes like this. The Wagilag are two sisters who travelled from south Arnhem Land (the Roper River area), eventually reaching a sacred waterhole in which, unknown to them, the python Wititj lived. The foods the Wagilag sisters caught and collected, when placed on a fire, jumped up and disappeared into the waterhole. When one of the sisters gave birth to a baby, Wititj smelled the afterbirth blood. Disturbed by this and by all the creatures jumping into his waterhole, the monstrous python emerged and swallowed the two sisters and the child.

Cross-hatching on bark paintings called Raark is one of the most distinctive and beautiful features of Arnhem Land Bark Paintings closely-spaced fine lines are drawn in particular colours, intersecting each other. The chosen colours may be specific to a particular clan, and the effect is difficult to describe but produces a deep impression on the viewer. Traditionally, the most sacred designs drawn on bodies during ceremonies were drawn with a quality called “bir’yun”, which is loosely translated as scintillation (as in the twinkling of stars) but carries a connotation of sunlight reflected off the sparkling water.

Indigenous Artists from Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory use crushed earth ochre pigments to paint on sheets of eucalyptus bark, They paint beautiful spiritual images of deep cultural significance that show their spiritual connection with specific tracts of country

Arnhem Land Rock Art sites are some thousands of years old, where ancient rock shelters were painted and maintained over generations. Arnhem Land is world-renowned for its Rock Art.

The designs seen on Arnhem Land Bark Paintings are traditional designs that are owned by the artist, or his “skin”, or his clan, and cannot be painted by other artists. In many cases, these designs would traditionally be used to paint the body for ceremonies or rituals, and also to decorate logs used in ceremonies. Artists also would paint designs on the bark walls and roofs of their shelters where they stayed during seasonal food gathering.

Provenance: Painted at Gunbalanya (Oenpelli), Arnhem Land circa 1975.   The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic and Australian Aboriginal

If you have any Bark Paintings, I am always interested in buying & I pay top prices for Bark Paintings that I like.

See my new EXHIBITIONS GALLERY  showing the Museums and Art Galleries Exhibitions that I provided artworks for over the past 40 years. There is the link to the article about my artworks published in the prestigious Louvre Magazine in 1996

I have artwork for Museums and art Galleries but also for collectors at every stage of their collecting. I want to encourage people to explore the fine art of New Guinea & West Papua and the Pacific Islands and to be able to see and touch the artworks in a relaxed and friendly manner in my Sydney Gallery. I would like to invite you to visit my gallery and see the artworks in person and also look at my website www.oceanicartsaustralia.com where there are many Galleries & Sub Galleries to explore.

My Gallery of nearly 40 years is the last physical gallery in Sydney that specializes in New Guinea and Oceanic Art.  Sydney is very close to New Guinea & the Pacific Islands where all of these amazing artworks came from, Australia’s closest neighbors.

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us 

 

A Fine Old New Guinea New Ireland Malangan Sculpture of a Shark Totem Bismarck Archipelago Papua New Guinea

Fine Old New Guinea New Ireland Malangan Sculpture of a Shark Totem Bismarck Archipelago Papua New Guinea

The South Pacific islands of New Ireland were home to a complex and vibrant culture that produced some of the most imaginative carvings of Melanesia. The art of New Ireland traditionally centred around a series of mortuary ceremonies and feasts intended to honour the dead.  In northern New Ireland, the name Malangan was given to these mortuary ceremonies and their associated sculptures and masks.  Malangan rites and rituals also marked important stages of an individual’s life, and men in particular competed during their lifetime to obtain the greatest number of Malangan rights.  The possession of these rights and privileges to specific Malangan images and the rituals associated with them conferred increased social status and prestige.  Cleverly incorporated into carved sculptures, these attained images and motifs served as a visual resume for the deceased and additionally illustrated important concepts such as clan and kinship, gender, death, and the spirit world.

The preparation for a Malangan ceremony would begin after a funeral and could continue for a year or more.  During this time, performances were organized,
During the ceremony, the Malangan sculptures were treated with the utmost care as it was believed that the souls of the deceased would enter the sculptures. Upon completion of the ceremony, the souls were believed to have left the body of the Malangan and the world of the living, and the sculptures were no longer needed, and so were subsequently burned or allowed to rot in the forest.

Malangan sculptures often included stylized representations of birds, fish, and other identifiable marine animals, alluding to specific clan myths and the animals’ natural characteristics.

The Shark, however, has a very special place in ceremonial life in New Ireland In the New Ireland province of Papua New Guinea, “shark calling” is a centuries-old ritual where local men, known as shark callers, engage in a complex practice of singing, chanting, and using a conch shell to lure sharks from the sea. They believe that sharks carry the spirits of their ancestors and that by following strict protocols, they can call, capture, and kill sharks without being harmed.

Before embarking on a shark-calling expedition, the shark callers undergo rigorous preparations, including abstaining from certain foods, sexual activity, and applying special herbs to themselves and their canoes. The shark callers use a conch shell to signal the village of their success or failure. They also use specific songs, chants, and actions, including shaking a coconut rattle, to lure the sharks. Once a shark is lured, it is captured by hand, and the villagers treat the shark with respect, believing it holds a spiritual connection to their ancestors.

Malangan carvings portraying fish are quite rare, and they were displayed both as independent sculptures and were also incorporated into upright figurative sculptures, whereby the figure was often positioned standing inside the mouth of the fish

Provenance: Old Collection Australia and The Todd Barlin Collection of New Guinea Oceanic Art

See my new EXHIBITIONS GALLERY  showing the Museums and Art Galleries Exhibitions that I provided artworks for over the past 40 years. There is the link to the article about my artworks published in the prestigious Louvre Magazine in 1996

I have artwork for Museums and art Galleries but also for collectors at every stage of their collecting. I want to encourage people to explore the fine art of New Guinea & West Papua and the Pacific Islands and to be able to see and touch the artworks in a relaxed and friendly manner in my Sydney Gallery. I would like to invite you to visit my gallery and see the artworks in person and also look at my website www.oceanicartsaustralia.com where there are many Galleries & Sub Galleries to explore.

My Gallery of nearly 40 years is the last physical gallery in Sydney that specializes in New Guinea and Oceanic Art.  Sydney is very close to New Guinea & the Pacific Islands where all of these amazing artworks came from, Australia’s closest neighbours.

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us 

 

A Superb O Aboriginal Bark Painting Xray Kangaroo from Western Arnhem Land Northern Territory Australia

This Superb Old Bark Painting of a Kangaroo from the Oenpelli Area in Western Arnhem Land, Northern Australia

This superb old Bark Painting depicts a Kangaroo, which is painted in the x-ray styl,e showing the internal organs. This painting is done in the style of the ancient Rock Art Paintings that Western Arnhem Land is world-famous for.

Arnhem Land Rock Art sites are some thousands of years old, where ancient rock shelters were painted and maintained over generations

Some of the oldest bark paintings look like this fine example, were cut from bark shelters where people stayed to collect seasonal food, and they sometimes painted on the walls & ceilings just as they did in the rock shelters.

Arnhem Land Bark Paintings, closely-spaced fine lines are drawn in particular colours, intersecting each other. The chosen colours may be specific to a particular clan, and the effect is difficult to describe but produces a deep impression on the viewer.

Indigenous Artists from Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory use crushed earth ochre pigments to paint on sheets of eucalyptus bark, they paint beautiful spiritual images of deep cultural significance that show their spiritual connection with specific tracts of country

The designs seen on Arnhem Land Bark Paintings are traditionally owned by the artist, or his “skin”, or his clan, and cannot be painted by other artists. In many cases, these designs would traditionally be used to paint the body for ceremonies or rituals, and also to decorate logs used in ceremonies.

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic and Australian Aboriginal

If you have any Bark Paintings, I am always interested in buying & I pay top prices for Bark Paintings that I like. Please send a photo for a free Valuation.

See my new EXHIBITIONS GALLERY  showing the Museums and Art Galleries Exhibitions that I provided artworks for over the past 40 years. There is the link to the article about my artworks published in the prestigious Louvre Magazine in 1996

I have artwork for Museums and art Galleries but also for collectors at every stage of their collecting. I want to encourage people to explore the fine art of New Guinea & West Papua and the Pacific Islands and to be able to see and touch the artworks in a relaxed and friendly manner in my Sydney Gallery. I would like to invite you to visit my gallery and see the artworks in person and also look at my website www.oceanicartsaustralia.com where there are many Galleries & Sub Galleries to explore.

My Gallery of nearly 40 years is the last physical gallery in Sydney that specializes in New Guinea and Oceanic Art.  Sydney is very close to New Guinea & the Pacific Islands where all of these amazing artworks came from, Australia’s closest neighbors.

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us 

 

A Superb Old Aboriginal Hafted Stone Axe Maningrida Central Arnhem Land Northern Territory Australia

A Superb Old Aboriginal Hafted Stone Axe Maningrida Central Arnhem Land Northern Territory Australia

This beautiful old Hafted Stone Axe was an important tool, but also an important Ceremonial Object.  As a ceremonial object, this is shown in the very fine ochre painting on the top section. This cross-hatching, called Raark is one of the most distinctive and beautiful features of Arnhem Land Bark Paintings. Closely-spaced fine lines are drawn in particular colours, intersecting each other.

The chosen colours may be specific to a particular clan, and the effect is difficult to describe but produces a deep impression on the viewer. Traditionally, the most sacred designs drawn on bodies during ceremonies were drawn with a quality called “bir’yun”, which is loosely translated as scintillation (as in the twinkling of stars) but carries a connotation of sunlight reflected off the sparkling water.

Indigenous Artists from Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory use crushed earth ochre pigments to paint on sheets of eucalyptus bark, they paint beautiful spiritual images of deep cultural significance that show their spiritual connection with specific tracts of country

Arnhem Land Rock Art sites are thousands of years old, where ancient rock shelters were painted and maintained over generations. Arnhem Land is world-renowned for its Rock Art.

The designs seen on Arnhem Land Bark Paintings are traditional designs owned by the artist, or his “skin”, or his clan, and cannot be painted by other artists. In many cases, these designs would traditionally be used to paint the body for ceremonies or rituals, and also to decorate logs used in ceremonies. Artists also would paint designs on the bark walls and roofs of their shelters where they stayed during seasonal food gathering.

Provenance:  Old Collection Australia & The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic and Australian Aboriginal

If you have any Bark Paintings, I am always interested in buying & I pay top prices for Bark Paintings & Aretifcs that I like. Please send a photo for a free Valuation.

See my new EXHIBITIONS GALLERY  showing the Museums and Art Galleries Exhibitions that I provided artworks for over the past 40 years. There is a link to the article about my artworks published in the prestigious Louvre Magazine in 1996

I have artwork for Museums and art Galleries but also for collectors at every stage of their collecting. I want to encourage people to explore the fine art of New Guinea & West Papua and the Pacific Islands and to be able to see and touch the artworks in a relaxed and friendly manner in my Sydney Gallery. I want to invite you to visit my gallery and see the artworks in person, and also look at my website www.oceanicartsaustralia.com, where there are many Galleries & Sub Galleries to explore.

My Gallery of nearly 40 years is the last physical gallery in Sydney that specializes in New Guinea and Oceanic Art.  Sydney is very close to New Guinea & the Pacific Islands where all of these amazing artworks came from, Australia’s closest neighbors.

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us 

 

A superb old Aboriginal Bark Painting Xray Kangaroo from Western Arnhem Land Northern Territory Australia

This Superb Old Bark Painting of a large Kangaroo from the Oenpelli Area in Western Arnhem Land, Northern Australia

This superb Bark Painting of a large Kangaroo, showing the internal organs, the very fine cross-hatching or Raark shows the great skill of the artist. This painting is done in the style of the early Rock Art Paintings that Western Arnhem Land is world-famous for.

Cross-hatching on bark paintings called Raark is one of the most distinctive and beautiful features of Arnhem Land Bark Paintings closely-spaced fine lines are drawn in particular colours, intersecting each other. The chosen colours may be specific to a particular clan, and the effect is difficult to describe but produces a deep impression on the viewer. Traditionally, the most sacred designs drawn on bodies during ceremonies were drawn with a quality called “bir’yun”, which is loosely translated as scintillation (as in the twinkling of stars) but carries a connotation of sunlight reflected off the sparkling water.

Indigenous Artists from Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, use crushed earth ochre pigments to paint on sheets of eucalyptus bark, they paint beautiful spiritual images of deep cultural significance that show their spiritual connection with specific tracts of country

Arnhem Land Rock Art sites are some thousands of years old, where ancient rock shelters were painted and maintained over generations. Arnhem Land is world-renowned for its Rock Art.

The designs seen on Arnhem Land Bark Paintings are traditional designs that are owned by the artist, or his “skin”, or his clan, and cannot be painted by other artists. In many cases, these designs would traditionally be used to paint the body for ceremonies or rituals, and also to decorate logs used in ceremonies. Artists also would paint designs on the bark walls and roofs of their shelters where stayed during seasonal food gathering.

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic and Australian Aboriginal

If you have any Bark Paintings, I am always interested in buying & I pay top prices for Bark Paintings that I like. Please send a photo for a free Valuation.

See my new EXHIBITIONS GALLERY  showing the Museums and Art Galleries Exhibitions that I provided artworks for over the past 40 years. There is the link to the article about my artworks published in the prestigious Louvre Magazine in 1996

I have artwork for Museums and art Galleries but also for collectors at every stage of their collecting. I want to encourage people to explore the fine art of New Guinea & West Papua and the Pacific Islands and to be able to see and touch the artworks in a relaxed and friendly manner in my Sydney Gallery. I would like to invite you to visit my gallery and see the artworks in person and also look at my website www.oceanicartsaustralia.com where there are many Galleries & Sub Galleries to explore.

My Gallery of nearly 40 years is the last physical gallery in Sydney that specializes in New Guinea and Oceanic Art.  Sydney is very close to New Guinea & the Pacific Islands where all of these amazing artworks came from, Australia’s closest neighbors.

 

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us 

 

A Superb Old Japanese Natural Form Burl Wood Scholars Object for Ikebana Flowers

A Superb Old Japanese Natural Form Burl Wood Okimono or Scholar’s Object

This amazing burlwood Ikebana Container looks like a large human thumb coming out of the side.  It takes an expert’s eye to recognise the beauty and potential of root and burl treasures that are found in the wild, and skilled artisans then transform these natural wonders into functional and unique works of art

Natural arrangements for trays of this type, according to the nageire, or thrown-in, style of flower arranging, is recognized as a certain stylistic category of Kado which had its origin in early ‘Buddhist flower offerings, (kuge).

Kado and Ikebana are technically the same, however, the term Kado refers not only to the beauty of the flowers but also requires manners, techniques, mental and physical training as well.

It is said that Buddhism was officially introduced to Japan around the middle of the 6th century. In Buddhism, there is a ritual of offering flowers to Buddha called “kuge,” and it is believed that this culture greatly influenced the origin of Kado.

In addition, in the ancient Japanese belief in the worship of gods, later called Shinto, there was the notion that trees were inhabited by divine spirits. Combined with this fundamental belief, the custom of offering flowers to the gods and Buddha is thought to have been accepted as natural.

The oldest style of Ikebana and the founder of Kado, is the Ikebana school in Kyoto. The origin of Ikebana is said to lie in the flower offerings made by the monks of Shiyunsan Johoji Temple in Kyoto. The priests of Ikebana offered flowers to Nyoirin Kannon the Buddhist Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara

Kado is the art of arranging flowers, plants, and trees. There is a systematised aesthetic sense and theory of layout that has been handed down since ancient times. The names and ideas differ slightly from school to school, and the complex principles involved are difficult to outline in a single sentence, but let us touch on a few principles.

First of all, Kado artwork is characterized by the fact that the direction in which it is viewed is basically fixed. Unlike flower arrangements, which can be viewed from any direction, ikebana works must be placed in a “tokonoma,” or alcove. Therefore, ikebana has a “front” that should be appreciated. Also, because flowers, plants, and trees are natural objects, no single piece of ikebana can be perfectly symmetrical.

The way of arranging flowers also expands infinitely depending on assumptions such as the combination of seasons, colour schemes, and the types of flowers to be used.

This is a Wabi-Sabi Okimono that may have been used in tea ceremonies for Ikebana Flower Displays

In Zen philosophy there are seven aesthetic principles for achieving Wabi-Sabi as listed below;

Fukinsei (不均斉): asymmetry, irregularity;

Kanso (簡素): simplicity;

Koko (考古): basic, weathered;

Shizen (自然): without pretence, natural;

Yugen (幽玄): subtly profound grace, not obvious;

Datsuzoku (脱俗): unbounded by convention, free;

Scholars’ objects were, in a sense, the luxury goods of their time, but rather than wealth, what they really represented was the physical embodiment of the scholar’s intellectual curiosity and aesthetic taste.

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of Japanese Art & Objects & Asian Art & Objects. Please look at my collection of Japanese Inro & Smoking Pouches & other Japanese art objects on my website.

See more Fine Japanese Art in Japanese Art Gallery

See my new EXHIBITIONS GALLERY  showing the Museums and Art Galleries Exhibitions that I provided artworks for over the past 40 years. There is the link to the article about my artworks published in the prestigious Louvre Magazine in 1996

I have artwork for Museums and art Galleries but also for collectors at every stage of their collecting. I want to encourage people to explore the fine art of New Guinea & West Papua and the Pacific Islands and to be able to see and touch the artworks in a relaxed and friendly manner in my Sydney Gallery. I would like to invite you to visit my gallery and see the artworks in person and also look at my website www.oceanicartsaustralia.com where there are many Galleries & Sub Galleries to explore.

My Gallery of nearly 40 years is the last physical gallery in Sydney that specializes in New Guinea and Oceanic Art.  Sydney is very close to New Guinea & the Pacific Islands where all of these amazing artworks came from, Australia’s closest neighbours.

 

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us 

 

A Superb Old Japanese Natural Form Burl Wood Scholars Object for Ikebana Flowers

A Superb Old Japanese Natural Form Burl Wood Okimono or Scholar’s Object

This amazing burlwood Ikebana sculpture I thought looks like a Deer’s head, and I always called it the “Nara Deer” after the famous deer that roam free in the ancient city of Nara near Kyoto. It takes an expert’s eye to recognise the beauty and potential of root and burl treasures that are found in the wild, and skilled artisans then transform these natural wonders into functional and unique works of art

Natural arrangements for trays of this type, according to the nageire, or thrown in, style of flower arranging, is recognized as a certain stylistic category of Kado which had its origin in early ‘Buddhist flower offerings, (kuge).

Kado and Ikebana are technically the same, however, the term Kado refers not only to the beauty of the flowers but also requires manners, techniques, mental and physical training as well.

It is said that Buddhism was officially introduced to Japan around the middle of the 6th century. In Buddhism, there is a ritual of offering flowers to Buddha called “kuge,” and it is believed that this culture greatly influenced the origin of Kado.

In addition, in the ancient Japanese belief in the worship of gods, later called Shinto, there was the notion that trees were inhabited by divine spirits. Combined with this fundamental belief, the custom of offering flowers to the gods and Buddha is thought to have been accepted as natural.

The oldest style of Ikebana and the founder of Kado, is the Ikebana school in Kyoto. The origin of Ikebana is said to lie in the flower offerings made by the monks of Shiyunsan Johoji Temple in Kyoto. The priests of Ikebana offered flowers to Nyoirin Kannon the Buddhist Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara

Kado is the art of arranging flowers, plants, and trees. There is a systematized aesthetic sense and theory of layout that has been handed down since ancient times. The names and ideas differ slightly from school to school, and the complex principles involved are difficult to outline in a single sentence, but let us touch on a few principles.

First of all, Kado artwork is characterized by the fact that the direction in which it is viewed is basically fixed. Unlike flower arrangements, which can be viewed from any direction, ikebana works must be placed in a “tokonoma,” or alcove. Therefore, ikebana has a “front” that should be appreciated. Also, because flowers, plants, and trees are natural objects, no single piece of ikebana can be perfectly symmetrical.

The way of arranging flowers also expands infinitely depending on assumptions such as the combination of seasons, colour schemes, and the types of flowers to be used.

This is a Wabi-Sabi Okimono that may have been used in tea ceremonies for Ikebana Flower Displays

In Zen philosophy there are seven aesthetic principles for achieving Wabi-Sabi as listed below;

Fukinsei (不均斉): asymmetry, irregularity;

Kanso (簡素): simplicity;

Koko (考古): basic, weathered;

Shizen (自然): without pretence, natural;

Yugen (幽玄): subtly profound grace, not obvious;

Datsuzoku (脱俗): unbounded by convention, free;

Scholars’ objects were, in a sense, the luxury goods of their time, but rather than wealth, what they really represented was the physical embodiment of the scholar’s intellectual curiosity and aesthetic taste.

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of Japanese Art & Objects & Asian Art & Objects. Please look at my collection of Japanese Inro & Smoking Pouches & other Japanese art objects on my website.

See more Fine Japanese Art in Japanese Art Gallery

See my new EXHIBITIONS GALLERY  showing the Museums and Art Galleries Exhibitions that I provided artworks for over the past 40 years. There is the link to the article about my artworks published in the prestigious Louvre Magazine in 1996

I have artwork for Museums and art Galleries but also for collectors at every stage of their collecting. I want to encourage people to explore the fine art of New Guinea & West Papua and the Pacific Islands and to be able to see and touch the artworks in a relaxed and friendly manner in my Sydney Gallery. I would like to invite you to visit my gallery and see the artworks in person and also look at my website www.oceanicartsaustralia.com where there are many Galleries & Sub Galleries to explore.

My Gallery of nearly 40 years is the last physical gallery in Sydney that specializes in New Guinea and Oceanic Art.  Sydney is very close to New Guinea & the Pacific Islands where all of these amazing artworks came from, Australia’s closest neighbours.

 

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us 

 

A Superb Old Japanese Natural Form Burl Wood Scholars Object for Ikebana Flowers

A Superb Old Japanese Natural Form Burl Wood Okimono or Scholar’s Object

This amazing burlwood Ikebana sculpture I thought looks like a Deer’s head, and I always called it the “Nara Deer” after the famous deer that roam free in the ancient city of Nara near Kyoto. It takes an expert’s eye to recognise the beauty and potential of root and burl treasures that are found in the wild, and skilled artisans then transform these natural wonders into functional and unique works of art

Natural arrangements for trays of this type, according to the nageire, or thrown in, style of flower arranging, is recognized as a certain stylistic category of Kado which had its origin in early ‘Buddhist flower offerings, (kuge).

Kado and Ikebana are technically the same, however, the term Kado refers not only to the beauty of the flowers but also requires manners, techniques, mental and physical training as well.

It is said that Buddhism was officially introduced to Japan around the middle of the 6th century. In Buddhism, there is a ritual of offering flowers to Buddha called “kuge,” and it is believed that this culture greatly influenced the origin of Kado.

In addition, in the ancient Japanese belief in the worship of gods, later called Shinto, there was the notion that trees were inhabited by divine spirits. Combined with this fundamental belief, the custom of offering flowers to the gods and Buddha is thought to have been accepted as natural.

The oldest style of Ikebana and the founder of Kado, is the Ikebana school in Kyoto. The origin of Ikebana is said to lie in the flower offerings made by the monks of Shiyunsan Johoji Temple in Kyoto. The priests of Ikebana offered flowers to Nyoirin Kannon the Buddhist Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara

Kado is the art of arranging flowers, plants, and trees. There is a systematized aesthetic sense and theory of layout that has been handed down since ancient times. The names and ideas differ slightly from school to school, and the complex principles involved are difficult to outline in a single sentence, but let us touch on a few principles.

First of all, Kado artwork is characterized by the fact that the direction in which it is viewed is basically fixed. Unlike flower arrangements, which can be viewed from any direction, ikebana works must be placed in a “tokonoma,” or alcove. Therefore, ikebana has a “front” that should be appreciated. Also, because flowers, plants, and trees are natural objects, no single piece of ikebana can be perfectly symmetrical.

The way of arranging flowers also expands infinitely depending on assumptions such as the combination of seasons, colour schemes, and the types of flowers to be used.

This is a Wabi-Sabi Okimono that may have been used in tea ceremonies for Ikebana Flower Displays

In Zen philosophy there are seven aesthetic principles for achieving Wabi-Sabi as listed below;

Fukinsei (不均斉): asymmetry, irregularity;

Kanso (簡素): simplicity;

Koko (考古): basic, weathered;

Shizen (自然): without pretence, natural;

Yugen (幽玄): subtly profound grace, not obvious;

Datsuzoku (脱俗): unbounded by convention, free;

Scholars’ objects were, in a sense, the luxury goods of their time, but rather than wealth, what they really represented was the physical embodiment of the scholar’s intellectual curiosity and aesthetic taste.

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of Japanese Art & Objects & Asian Art & Objects. Please look at my collection of Japanese Inro & Smoking Pouches & other Japanese art objects on my website.

See more Fine Japanese Art in Japanese Art Gallery

See my new EXHIBITIONS GALLERY  showing the Museums and Art Galleries Exhibitions that I provided artworks for over the past 40 years. There is the link to the article about my artworks published in the prestigious Louvre Magazine in 1996

I have artwork for Museums and art Galleries but also for collectors at every stage of their collecting. I want to encourage people to explore the fine art of New Guinea & West Papua and the Pacific Islands and to be able to see and touch the artworks in a relaxed and friendly manner in my Sydney Gallery. I would like to invite you to visit my gallery and see the artworks in person and also look at my website www.oceanicartsaustralia.com where there are many Galleries & Sub Galleries to explore.

My Gallery of nearly 40 years is the last physical gallery in Sydney that specializes in New Guinea and Oceanic Art.  Sydney is very close to New Guinea & the Pacific Islands where all of these amazing artworks came from, Australia’s closest neighbours.

 

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us