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Galerie von Vertes
tony cragg
Tony Cragg (Liverpool, 1949) Nea Relatives, 2020 Bronze Conceived and cast in 2020 6 casts H 77 x W 44 x D 47 cm Signature and foundry stamp on the base Certificate of authenticity by the artist on 10 April 2025 Provenance: Buchmann Galerie, Berlin (acquired directly from the artist)
Galerie de la Béraudière
germaine richier
Germaine Richier (France, 1902-1959) Le Couple, 1956 Natural bronze Fonderie Susse, Paris Lost wax cast (except for the base and arms, sand casted) H 139 x W 74.5 x D 74.5 cm Signed and numbered on the terrasse: G. Richier, 3/6 Edition 3/6 out of 11 (1/6 - 6/6 + HC1-HC2-HC3 + EA + 0/6) Posthumous cast: 1963 Provenance: Galerie Creuzevault, Paris; private collection, France; Galerie Cazeau-Béraudière, Paris; private collection, France; private collection, Belgium Literature: Jean-Louis Prat et Françoise Guiter, Germaine Richier, Rétrospective, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Fondation Maeght, 1996, p. 172, ill. (another cast); Maîtres des XIXe et XXe siècles, Galerie H. Odermatt-Ph. Cazeau, Paris, 1989, repr. n° 46; Eddie Wolfram et William Packer, London, art and artist, Londres, juillet 1973, n° 8, pp. 46-49; Germaine Richier, Galerie Creuzevault, Paris, 1966 Exhibitions: 2022, Brussels, Galerie de la Béraudière, Germaine Richier et la couleur (this cast); 1996, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Maeght Fondation, Germaine Richier, Retrospective (another cast); 1957, Paris, Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, XIIIe Salon de Mai, n° 27, ill. (another cast); 1956, Paris, Musée National d'Art Moderne, Germaine Richier, n° 13, referred as 'Figures' (another cast); Jean Cassou, Richier, Editions du Temps, Paris, 1961; René de Solier, Germaine Richier, in Les Cahiers d'art, Paris, June 1953, n° 28, pp. 123-129 With Le Couple, Germaine Richier reached a point of fulfilment in her exploration of the human figure and its metamorphoses. The two figures, united by a skilful interplay of triangles and balances, seem caught in a silent movement where tension becomes harmony. The rigour of the construction is combined with an organic, almost primitive energy that animates the bronze with a vibrant presence. Le Couple embodies this rare alliance between construction and emotion, where the bronze material seems to be animated by a vital breath.
Galerie Oscar De Vos
emile claus
Emile Claus (Waregem 1849-1924 Astene) Villa Zonneschijn (Sunshine) and the Lys, 1893 Oil on canvas 83 x 73 cm Signed lower left: Emile Claus Dated and monogrammed on reverse: Juli 1893 / E.C. Provenance: private collection, Belgium Literature: Buysse, C., Emile Claus. Mijn broeder in Vlaanderen (1925); De Smet, J., Retrospectief Emile Claus (1997); De Smet, J., Emile Claus en het landleven (2009); De Smet, J., Emile Claus. Prins van het luminisme (2024); Lemonnier, C., Emile Claus (1908)
Galerie Taménaga
marie laurencin
Marie Laurencin (Paris, 1883-1956) Deux fillettes et chien, 1942 Oil on canvas 46 x 55 cm Signed and dated lower left 'Marie Laurencin 1942' Provenance: private collection Literature: Beaux-Arts, Paris, 24-30 July 1952; Daniel Marchesseau, Marie Laurencin, Catalogue raisonné de l'œuvre peint, Tokyo: Marie Laurencin Museum, 1986, vol. I, n° 804, repr. p. 327
Laurent Schaubroeck
Sergio Rodrigues (Rio de Janeiro, 1927-2014) Mucki bench, 1960s Jacaranda, Brazilian rosewood H 29 x W 300 x D 80 cm Produced by Oca Provenance: private home, Brazil First conceived in 1958 and produced by Oca, the Mucki bench is among Sergio Rodrigues’ most versatile and emblematic designs. Its low, rectangular structure with latitudinal slats and rhythmically placed wooden buttons reflects the refined balance between simplicity and sophistication that characterises Rodrigues’ work. This exceptional example, measuring three metres in length and an unusual 80 cm in depth, was made to measure in the 1960s - an extremely rare proportion that highlights the adaptability of Rodrigues’ design to specific commissions. Crafted in solid rosewood, the bench showcases the rich tonal variations and expressive veins of the wood, underscoring its sculptural quality. A remarkable and rare original, it remains in excellent vintage condition, bearing witness to the enduring relevance of Rodrigues’ vision.
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Van Pruissen Asian Art
tokuda yasokichi iii
Tokuda Yasokichi III alias Kutani Masahiko (Japan, 1933-2009) Porcelain vase Japan, late 20th century H 29.5 cm Signed ‘Kutani Masahiko’ on the base Literature: Yosai - Tokuda Yasokichi Sakuhinshu (The works of Tokuda Yasokichi), Kodansha 1995, Japan This elegant Kutani porcelain vase by Tokuda Yasokichi III - designated a Living National Treasure in 1997 - exemplifies his groundbreaking approach to traditional ceramic art. The slender, tapering body is enveloped in a rich aubergine glaze, punctuated by a single iridescent blue stripe flowing vertically from the mouth to the base. This striking effect was created using Yasokichi’s innovative saiyū (polychrome overglaze) technique, which brought new luminosity and abstraction to Kutani ware. Born Masahiko, Yasokichi III redefined the possibilities of Kutani ceramics, elevating them into a modern art form. Today, his works are held in leading international museum collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the British Museum.
Franck Anelli Fine Art
charles topino
Charles Topino (Arras, circa 1742-1803) Louis XVI period demi-lune commode, circa 1780 Oak, Parisian varnish, gilt-bronze mounts, Aleppo breccia marble top H 91 x W 131 x D 58 cm Stamped 'C. TOPINO' and 'JME', with a CD mark Provenance: private collection, Paris Literature: Forray-Carlier et M. Kopplin, Les secrets de la laque française: Le Vernis Martin, Paris, 2014 This demi-lune commode is decorated with chinoiserie motifs in gold on a green background,. It opens with two side doors and three drawers. The gold chinoiserie decoration on green varnish is quite rare, especially on Louis XVI furniture. The chinoiserie theme is executed here in a decorative style from the 1780s, with framed scenes surrounded by tied garlands. This exotic theme remained in vogue during the Louis XVI period, as evidenced by the lacquered Japanese furniture favoured by Marie-Antoinette, as well as the marquetry furniture by Roentgen. Jean Pillement (1728-1808) popularised chinoiserie designs through his 1776 book 'Œuvres de Fleurs, ornements, cartouches et figures et sujets chinois…etc.,' which spread throughout the courts of Europe. The green varnish décor is especially known for works by René Dubois, such as the small demi-lune commode housed at Waddesdon Manor in England (Inv. WI/23/2). René Dubois, however, was more inclined towards neoclassical scenes, a style that is well-documented in his stock from 1772, which lists around twenty pieces, thus helping to date his production. At this time, the workshop of the Frères Martin was still active, with Jean-Alexandre, the son of Robert Martin, having taken over his father’s workshop in 1767 and acquired that of his cousin Etienne-François in 1772, following his cousin's death the year before. It is clear that Jean-Alexandre benefited from the strong connections his family had with Parisian marchand-merciers and cabinetmakers, one of the most renowned of whom was Charles Topino. This production unfortunately did not survive the French Revolution, and this commode is one of the last examples of this inventive period. Charles Topino settled in Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine and counted aristocratic clients and marchand-ébénistes such as Delorme and Tuart amongst his customers. His pieces were described as 'à l'antique,' an expression referring to the neoclassical taste that dominated the late 18th century. His journal, covering the years 1771 to 1779, has survived, providing insight into the names of bronziers who supplied him, including Jean-Baptiste Dubuisson, a master founder since 1765, who created some of the finest bronze mounts of the period. It is known that the gilt bronze mounts adorning Topino’s furniture were cast by Viret, chased by Chamboin and Dubuisson, and gilded by Bécard, Gérard, and Vallet. Charles Topino produced several demi-lune commodes of this type, many decorated with marquetry and several with varnish decorations. Notable examples include: -A commode from the Prince Radziwill collection, sold at the Château d'Ermenonville auction, Ader study, March 8th, 1933 -A writing desk sold by Christie's London from the Rechnitzer collection, May 19th, 1955, illustrated in Connaissance des Arts n° 41, July 15th, 1955 -A writing desk decorated with European black and gold varnish in the Chinese style, sold at Paris’s Hôtel Drouot, Cornette de Saint-Cyr study, January 31st, 1994 -A writing desk with Coromandel lacquer decoration, from the Princess A. de Broglie collection, ill. in P. Verlet, Les ébénistes du XVIIIe siècle français, Connaissance des arts, Hachette, Paris, 1963, p. 268
Galerie Patrice Trigano
césar
César, alias César Baldaccini (Marseille 1921-1998 Paris) Hommage à Eiffel, 1989 Welded bronze Bocquel foundry 280 x 200 x 55 cm Signed and numbered Provenance: acquired from the artist in 1990 Literature: P. Restany, César, éd. De la Différence, Paris, 1988, p. 65 and p. 328 (Monumental version of Cartier Foundation, photography in progress); B.-H. Lévy, César, les bronzes, Éditons de la Différence, Galerie Baubourg, Paris, 1991, p. 24; César, Oeuvres de 1947 à 1993, Musée de Marseille, Réunion des Musées Nationaux, Marseille, 1993, p. 159; César, Galerie Enrico Navarra, Paris, 1996, pp. 76-77; César, Museu Brasileiro da Escultura Marilisa Rathsam, São Paulo, 1999, p. 212; Paris, Centre Georges Pompidou, César la rétrospective, December 2017- March 2018, p. 173; Archives Denyse Durand-Ruel, n° 4499 Exhibitions: Marseille, centre de la Vieille Charité, César, oeuvres de 1947 à 1993, July-September 1993, p. 159; Monte-Carlo, César à Monte-Carlo, May-September 1993, (unnumbered); Luxembourg, Dexia Banque Internationale, Hommage à César, October-December 2000, p. 70; Cannes, La Malmaison, César, l’oeuvre de bronze, July-October 2002, p. 86; Travelling exhibition: Cannes, parvis du palais des Festivals, July-September 2002; Geneviève, Galerie Artrium, September-December 2002; Rabat, Musée Mohammed VI d’Art Moderne et Contemporain, César, une histoire méditerranéenne, December 2015-March 2016, reproduced in colour p. 68 and p. 70
Mearini Fine Art
Capital with column from a Ciborio or Pergula Rome, late 8th-early 9th century White marble H 41 x Ø 20 cm Provenance: formerly in the collection of Elda Francia Gasparrini in Rome Literature: U. Broccoli, Marmi tardo antichi di una collezione privata a Roma, LV 1979, pp. 183-199, ill. p. 193 fig. 10
Virginie Devillez Fine Art
gustave de smet
Gustave De Smet (Ghent 1877-1943 Sint-Martens-Latem) Nu couché, 1928 Pencil, pastel and oil on paper 35 x 43 cm Signed lower right 'Gust. De Smet' Provenance: Walter Schwarzenberg, Brussels (Georges Giroux sale, Brussels, 1-2 February 1932, lot 43); Tony Herbert, Kortrijk; private collection, Belgium (by descent to the present owner) Literature: Piet Boyens, Gust. De Smet. Chronicle et Analysis of the Work, Antwerp, Fonds Mercator, 1989, CR 744 (p. 386); The Tony Herbert Collection, Deurle, Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens, 2011, p. 39 (ill.) Exhibitions: Brussels, Galerie Le Centaure, Gust. De Smet, 1928, cat. n° 69; Brussels, Galerie George Giroux, Gust. De Smet, 1929, cat. n° 160; Luxembourg, Musée d’Art et d’Histoire; Tony Herbert Collection, 1963-1964, cat. n° 38
CKS Gallery
Salvador Dalí (Spain, Figueras 1904-1989) Nude ascending the staircase, 1973 Brown patina bronze sculpture H 212 × W 139 × D 117 cm - Height with the base: 297 cm Signed & numbered 'Dalí 2/8', Foundry mark 'Fratelli Bonvicini, Italie' on the shell Certificate of authenticity by M. Robert Descharnes and listed in the Descharnes Archives under the n° 0-264 Provenance: private collection
Thomas Deprez Fine Arts
george minne
George Minne (Ghent 1866-1941 Sint-Martens-Latem) Baigneuse I, 1899 Boxwood (composite) H 40 cm Signed on the base: ‘G. MINNE’ Provenance: private collection by family descent, Belgium Exhibitions: La Libre Esthétique, Brussels, 1902, cat. 139, as: ‘Figure de femme. boxwood.' Related literature: Arthur Roesler, George Minne, in: Deutsche Kunst und Dekoration, 1910, 14th year, IV, 2, ill. article frontispiece, p. 240 (cf. Waerndorfer marble); Léo Van Puyvelde, George Minne, Brussels : Edition 'Cahiers de Belgique', 1930, cat. n° 31, p. 78, ill. pl. 31 (bronze); Robert Hoozee et al., George Minne en de kunst rond 1900, Gent: Museum voor Schone Kunsten, 1982, cf. cat. 95 & 96 (bronze and alabaster). Related exhibitions: Berliner Secession V, Berlin, 1902, cat. 319, as: ‘Badende’ (plaster); Wiener Secession XIV, Vienna, 1902, as: ‘Badendes Mädchen’ (plaster); Tento. Jozef Israëls & George Minne, Rotterdam, 1903, as: ‘Badende vrouw’ (marble); Berliner Secession XI, Berlin, 1906, cat. 332, as: ‘Junge Frau’ (plaster); Mücsarnok, Teli, Nemzetkozi Kiallitas, Budapest, 1908-09, cat. 285 (marble); Esposizione Internazionale d’Arte, Venice, 1909, cat. 3, as: ‘Bagnante’ (marble); Sonderbund westdeutscher K., Dusseldorf, 1910, cat. 237, as: ‘Die Badende’ (marble); Leipziger Jahresaustellung, Leipzig, 1912, cat. 895c, as: ’Baigneuse’ (bronze); Sonderbund internationale Kunstaustellung Köln, 1912, cat. 611, as: ‘Badende’ (marble). Related works: It has been said that George Minne, with the present sculpture, directly influenced Gustav KLIMT (1862-1918) for the painting 'Wasserschlangen I' (1904/07), cf. Hoozee. Its appeal, however, has never faded, as can be seen in several variations on the pose which have been an integral part of the famous Belgian contemporary choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker’s so-called 'Attitudes'. Note on versions: Van Puyvelde mentions editions in marble, wood and bronze. In addition, several fine plaster casts with family provenances can be identified, amongst others at the MSK Gent and at the Museum Gevaert-Minne. Among the early collectors of bronze versions we find Hélène Kröller-Müller and Karl Ernst Osthaus, partly due to the fact that Minne’s ‘Baigneuse I’ has been a favourite for the inclusion in decorative settings designed by Henry Van de Velde (1863-1959). Versions in marble are held at the Royal Museums of Art & History and at the Belvedere in Vienna. We have been unable to find records of any other versions of Minne’s ‘Baigneuse I’ in wood. Executed in a fine composite of boxwood, it is likely a unique piece in the material and can therefore be identified as entry n° 139 at La Libre Esthétique in 1902; where both a bronze version and a version in boxwood of Minne's 'Baigneuse' were exhibited under the title 'Figure de femme'. Interestingly, the 1902 exhibition of La Libre Esthétique in Brussels also marked the model's public debut, ranking the present version as one of the earliest in existance and one of the first two shown publicly.
Franck Anelli Fine Art
claude corneille de lyon
Claude Corneille de Lyon (The Netherlands, The Hague 1500-1575 Lyon, France) Portrait of a wealthy merchant wearing a fur-lined coat and gold chain, circa 1560 Oil on panel 15 x 18 cm Certificate from Dr. Alexandra Zvereva This painting will be included in the supplement to the artist's forthcoming Catalogue Raisonné This unpublished small portrait fits naturally into the later works of one of the most illustrious portraitists of the French Renaissance. Referred to in contemporary documents by the name of his hometown, La Haye, he later became known simply as 'Corneille' until André Félibien, who believed him to be from the banks of the Rhône, added the name 'Lyon' in the index of his Entretiens. Born and trained in the Netherlands, probably in Flanders, the artist settled in Lyon as early as 1533. There, he succeeded Jean Perréal, the portraitist of Charles VIII and Louis XII, renowned for his intimate portraits with coloured backgrounds. By the mid-1530s, Corneille had gained such fame that he found himself painting the courtiers accompanying the king to Lyon, as well as the Sons and Daughters of France. However, unlike Perréal, his career was not that of a royal artist following the court. He never left Lyon, and his titles of "painter to the Dauphin" and later "painter and ordinary valet to the king" were purely honorary, primarily granting him the privileges of royal officers. The prominent citizens of Lyon, wealthy French and foreign merchants, high-ranking royal officers, well-to-do bourgeois, and magistrates made up the bulk of his clientele. Corneille created small-scale portraits for them, painted in just a few sitting sessions directly onto panels. Intended for family and close associates, these works had no official circulation and existed in only one unique copy, unlike portraits of the nobility, of which Corneille often made replicas that were widely circulated. The subject of this portrait is not a nobleman, despite his evident wealth. His attire is simple, a dark brown-black without any ornamentation, slashing, or jewels. The white ruff of his shirt is not starched. His high cap, fashionable in the 1550s-1560s, lacks a plume, a privilege reserved for the nobility, as it was associated with the feathers adorning knights' helmets. However, the man does possess a certain fortune, as evidenced by his fur-lined cloak of marten with wide lapels and a large gold chain with three rows of links, favoured by the Flemish. The medallion on the chain is cropped by the frame. This is almost certainly a prosperous merchant, eager to demonstrate his success and preserve the memory of his features for his family. The absence of any inscription on the reverse, giving the name of the subject, makes identification impossible, since no replica or engraving exists. Despite previous restorations, particularly to the face and background, the distinctive characteristics of Corneille’s art are clearly visible here, such as the rough sketching of the ear, the sloping shoulders that make the head appear slightly disproportionate to the torso, the treatment of the hair with individual strands, the brilliant irises crossed by an oblique ray of light, and the broader brushstrokes in the clothing.
Laurent Schaubroeck
George Nakashima (USA, Washington 1905-1990 Pennsylvenia) Cushion chair with arms, 1960s Black American cherry, upholstery 77.5 x 74.3 x 86.4 cm Produced by George Nakashima Studio Includes a digital copy of the order card Provenance: Craighead family Produced by the Nakashima Studio in the 1960s, this lounge chair exemplifies George Nakashima’s refined craftsmanship and harmony between form and material. Its spindled back recalls Windsor traditions, while the tapered legs and clean geometry express his modern sensibility. Upholstered in white linen, the chair combines warmth and elegance, standing as a rare and timeless piece from one of the most influential American designers of the 20th century.
Hoffmans Antiques
A Gustavian console table Stockholm, circa 1790 Gilt wood, Carrara marble H 83.5 x W 110 x D 54 cm This console table belongs to a small yet exclusive group of furniture of the highest class, preserved mainly within the royal collections. The model relates to drawings by Louis Masreliez (Paris 1748-1810 Sweden). The table was likely made by his brother, Jean-Baptiste (Stockholm, 1753-1801), or possibly by Pehr Ljung (Stockholm, 1743-1819). The decoration is masterfully carved in wood with exceptional precision. A vine motif runs along the apron, while the frieze above the front legs is adorned with palmette leaves and volutes. The table rests on six tapering, fluted legs and is crowned with a Carrara marble top.
Herwig Simons Fine Arts
Large Siena marble models from the Roman Forum Rome, circa 1800 H 87 cm Provenance: former noble collection, The Netherlands Fine and unusual large grand tour Siena marble models of the Temple of Castor and Pollux, and the Temple of Vespasian, from the Roman forum. Made as souvenirs for visitors on the Grand Tour in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
DIE GALERIE
pierre alechinsky
Pierre Alechinsky (Brussels, 1927) Le Point du Jour, 1966 Oil on canvas 130 x 81 cm Signed lower right 'Alechinsky'; signed, dated and entitled verso Certificate by the artist from 19 March 2012 Provenance: Galerie Birch, Kopenhagen; DIE GALERIE, Frankfurt am Main Literature: Pierre Alechinsky, Galerie Birch, Kopenhagen 1966; CoBrA. Una grande avanguardia europea 1948-1951, exh. cat. Fondazione Roma Museo, Palazzo Cipolla, Rome 2015, p. 211 Exhibitions: Pierre Alechinsky, Galerie Birch, Kopenhagen 1966; CoBrA international – Momente einer Utopie, Museum für aktuelle Kunst, Sammlung Hurrle, Durbach, 2012-2013; CoBrA – Una grande avanguardia europea 1948-1951, Fondazione Roma Museo, Palazzo Cipolla, Rom, 2015-2016; 70 Years of CoBrA, DIE GALERIE, Frankfurt am Main, 2018; Pierre Alechinsky and his artist friends, DIE GALERIE, Frankfurt am Main, 2025
Galerie BG Arts
Georges Clairin (Paris 1843-1919 Clohars-Carnoët) Portrait of Suzanne Lalique Oil on canvas 140 x 80 cm Signed 'Á Suzanne Lalique son ami G. Clairin' Provenance: property of Suzanne Lalique-Haviland; private collection, France Literature: Maritch-Haviland, N. de Léobardy, C., Lalique-Haviland-Burty Family Portraits, Limoges, 2009, p. 29, ill. in a group photograph, taken at Cours-la-Reine in Paris, showing Suzanne Lalique wearing this same dress for a costume ball to mark her birthday in about 1913 Georges Clairin is best remembered as an orientialist and portrait artist. He was a close friend and advisor to René Lalique. They regularly had dinner together and shared an interest in oriental objects, as well as travelling together to Venice. Clairin belonged to the bohemian world and painted Sarah Bernhardt, the celebrated actress of the day, in her different roles on numerous occasions. He also introduced her to Lalique, and she became one of Lalique’s most significant patrons for whom he designed jewellery. For both men, women were a constant theme of their work. As a family friend it is not surprising that Clairin should have painted Suzanne, René Lalique’s daughter, in costume for her birthday ball in 1913.
Grusenmeyer-Woliner
flute stopper Wunear Biwat (Mundugumor), Yuat River, late 19th - early 20th century Papua New Guinea Wood, feathers, shell H. 64 cm ( 85 cm including the base) Provenance: Charles Ratton; Kamer Gallery, acquired in 1966 by Emiel Veranneman; Emiel Veranneman; Thence by descent Literature: Rotary Club Sint-Niklaas, Oude Kunst uit Afrika en Oceanie, Exhibition catalogue, Sint-Niklaas, May 5-20, 1979, n° 31; Veranneman Emiel, Visie & Passie, 2002, pp. 72-73 Exhibition: Oude Kunst uit Afrika en Oceanië, Ex-Libriscentrum, Sint-Niklaas, 5–20 May 1979, Rotary Club Sint-Niklaas
Van Pruissen Asian Art
nagai ikka
Nagai Ikka (Japan, 1869–1940) Pair of six-panel folding screens with crows, 1930s Ink on paper H 137 x W 268 cm (each) Signed in the bottom corner Provenance: private collection, Japan Nagai Ikka (also known by the art names Zuiunan and Hanpo) was born in 1869 in Suibara, Niigata Prefecture, during the early Meiji period. He trained under leading masters of the Maruyama and Shijō schools, including Suzuki Shōnen, Nakano Kimei, and Hirafuku Hoan, and later absorbed stylistic influences from Kawanabe Kyōsai. This grounding in careful observation and naturalistic rendering provided the foundation for a personal style that balanced precision with expressive freedom. He began painting crow paintings after helping Ernest Francisco Fenollosa create 'One Hundred Crows', a painting he had commissioned from Kyosai. The late Meiji and Taishō periods were marked by profound change in Japanese art, as artists navigated between traditional aesthetics and the growing influence of Western naturalism. Ikka embraced this dialogue, drawing on classical ink painting techniques whilst expanding his horizons abroad. From 1903 to 1908, he lived in the United States, exhibiting at international events such as the Portland Expo, where he won a silver medal, and later at the Italian Expo. His crow paintings, admired both in Japan and overseas, earned him the affectionate nickname 'Doctor of Crows' from statesman Ōkuma Shigenobu. The crow (karasu) has a long symbolic tradition in Japanese culture, appearing in classical poetry, Buddhist imagery, and Shintō cosmology, most famously as Yatagarasu, the mythical three-legged crow. Ikka revitalised this motif, transforming it from a minor decorative element into the central subject of bold, dynamic compositions. This pair of six-panel folding screens demonstrates his command of movement and atmosphere. Painted in ink with sparing touches of colour, the crows appear in varied postures—perched, in flight, or interacting—creating a rhythm that guides the viewer’s eye across the expansive surface. Bold, calligraphic brushstrokes define wings and feathers, while softer washes evoke wind, mist, and shifting light. The result is a scene that is both naturalistic and poetic, combining the restraint of traditional ink painting with a striking modern vitality. Ikka’s crows are not static symbols but living presences, conveying alertness, intelligence, and social energy. His lifelong study of corvid behavior, informed by travels across Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, and the United States, gave his work an observational depth rare among his contemporaries. At the same time, his art reflects a broader ambition: to elevate the ordinary into the emblematic, merging natural accuracy with expressive force. Today, Ikka’s crow paintings are prized by collectors and studied as important examples of Meiji-period nihonga, where fidelity to nature combines with enduring Japanese aesthetic ideals. These folding screens stand as a testament to his originality and his ability to transform a humble subject into a powerful symbol of vitality and freedom.
unforget Decorative Arts
ado chale
Ado Chale (Brussels, 1928-2025) Dining table, circa 1970 Resin top inlaid with carnelian agate stones H 71.5 cm - Ø 173 cm This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by Ado Chale This table features a backlit tabletop that enhances its sculptural presence and creates a refined play of light and shadow.