book review Collecting Japanese Antiques

 

Collecting Japanese Antiques, by Alistair Seton, Tuttle Publishing, 153 Milk Street, Boston MA 2004; 304 pages, hardbound, $50.

Ever since the Western world began trading with Japan in the Sixteenth Century, the art and finely crafted objects made there have captivated Westerners. In this volume Japanese expert, art collector, scholar and writer Alistair Seton provides background information on Japan’s art heritage and what makes their aesthetics and art so different and unique. First he gives a short history of Japan to set the stage for what is available and valued from Japan’s art and artifacts.

 This book offers practical advice on evaluation, purchase, restoration and price trends in Japanese collectibles from lacquer, screens, swords and porcelain to textiles, furniture, sculpture and metalwork. Striking photographs highlight the beauty and craftsmanship of the items, which range from solid wood chests, delicate hand carved ivory netsuke and ethereal cloisonné to elegant prints and ceramics. A glossary explains antique-related Japanese terms and a bibliography offers readers useful books or articles for further study on specific types of Japanese objects as well as general reference titles.

—Anne Kugielsky

FOR 1-28

BLACK HISTORY MONTH TALKS AT VMFA

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RICHMOND, VA. — The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts will celebrate Black History Month with a talk on the work of emerging contemporary artist iona rozeal brown, a “Closer Look” program centering on a painting by Sam Gilliam and a literary reading by Dr Hermine Pinson.

Tosha Grantham, VMFA’s assistant curator of Modern and contemporary art, will present a lecture, “from ukiyo-e to hip hop: the art of iona rozeal brown” on Sunday, February 6, in the auditorium at 3 pm. For information, 804-204-2704.