September 28th, 2009 — Collectibles, Decorative Arts, Decorative Collectibles, Figurines, Glassware, Japanese Art
Japanese art is a type of art that has a very distinctive look. If a painting, a vase, a sculpture or some other type of art is Japanese, particularly if it’s antique art, it usually only takes a quick look for you to recognize the art’s origin. Just as every culture has its own specific properties, the artwork of Japan will always have certain traits in common, no matter what kind of media the artist used to express himself.
Some of the most popular pieces of antique Japanese art are, of course, the paintings. Scroll paintings are distinctively Asian, and come in many sizes and levels of detail. Authentic scroll paintings only dating back as far as the early 20th century cost as little as $200, but some Zen scroll paintings from that period that bear the artists name as well as the temple, and are in excellent condition, can be worth as much as a few thousand dollars.
Another popular type of antique Japanese art is porcelain. Early 20th century porcelain pieces are generally going to cost at least a few hundred dollars, provided they’re in good condition. Vases from the 19th century will generally cost at least that much, if not more. Japanese carvings like those on top of wooden treasure boxes can be worth thousands of dollars. Most likely, though, the exact year of manufacture isn’t known, and they’re more reasonably prices.
Japanese art is full of renderings of Buddha, so many antique pieces feature him in paintings, carvings, or stand-alone statues. These can be valuable, particularly if they’re carved of ivory or stone, and are more than 100 years old. Japanese decorative bronze work is a popular type of antique, too, as they often added detailed embellishments to things like bronze vases or chests.
Most Japanese artwork is easily recognized because of the brush strokes and the subject matter. Landscapes are popular, often featuring cherry blossoms and lots of trees. Wildlife is a popular subject in Japanese art, with cranes being a popular bird. And let’s not forget dragons. Dragons have an important place in Japanese mythology and culture, and are often depicted looking like serpents. Unlike the negative view much of the world holds against serpents, the Japanese thought serpents and dragons to be good luck, and very valuable.
When you’re shopping for antique Japanese art, if a piece you love is out of your price range, you can usually find reproductions of most anything for a more reasonable price. Nothing beats the authentic piece, though, so make sure that the seller is knowledgeable about the piece and Japanese art in general. Unfortunately with many pieces of art, especially paintings, the only way to determine if you’re getting a fair price is to have the item appraised. You might want a piece for its beauty, but be prepared to have it appraised eventually. Many sellers don’t even know the true value of the pieces they have up for auction, so look for similar items online and compare the prices.
Originally posted 2008-12-05 14:00:24. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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September 16th, 2009 — Collectibles, Decorative Arts, Persian Rugs
Iran is the country of origin of the Persian rug, and still the largest producer of carpets and rugs in the world today. In Iran, investors purchase Persian carpets the way some investors buy gold and diamonds; they know the value will only increase with time. Persia, now known as Iran, has been exporting its rugs since the 1500s, and has influence carpeting designs and styles through the years. A hand-woven, authentic Persian rug is almost always very valuable; the exception would be a rug that was heavily damaged, but sometimes even damaged rugs are surprisingly valuable.
A Persian rug, or a rug that attempts to look like one, is an easily recognizable item. The colors and the intricate design usually make it clear that it’s Iranian in origin. Though it might not be immediately obvious to the casual observer, Persian rugs differ depending on the tribe that created them, and the geographical area where they were produced. They’re often named according to the town in which they were woven, or they’re named after the tribe that created them. An expert can look at the way a rug is woven and tell who produced it, and where.
Older and antique Persian rugs are typically more valuable than new ones, but a new Persian rug can still cost thousands of dollars. Large rugs are naturally more expensive, but you can find some very small runners or area rugs that are more affordable. The design in these rugs can range from several shades of the same or similar colors in an abstract pattern to brightly colored scenes complete with people and animals.
Newer rugs will probably have very symmetrical and exact designs, but an older Persian rug that was hand woven in a village or by a nomadic people won’t be quite so perfect because the loom that was used was probably wooden and not completely precise. This only adds to the charm and value of the rug.
If you have the opportunity to examine the Persian rug in person, feel it. Does it feel dry and rough, or is it pleasing to the touch? Some wool that’s removed from butchered sheep finds it way into these rugs—usually discount rugs that seem far too inexpensive to be a real Persian rug. You’ll want to avoid these “dead wool” rugs because they won’t stand up to wear the way a quality wool rug will. In fact, good wool will develop a sheen after being used that collectors prize as the mark of an authentic, quality Persian rug.
You may wish to consult a Persian rug expert to have a look at your potential purchase. But barring that, consider the color combination and pattern or scene. If it blends together and you enjoy the appearance of it as artwork, then chances are you’ll be happy with your purchase. If you’re buying through an auction, ask the seller if there are patches or repair, and get his or her impression about whether the rug feels dry or smooth.
Originally posted 2008-12-04 05:00:21. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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September 12th, 2009 — Collectibles, Decorative Arts, Decorative Collectibles, Thomas Kinkade
Thomas Kinkade is a living, American artist whose work is so popular today that many people have no idea they even have Thomas Kinkade artwork in their homes in some form or another. There seems to be no middle ground when it comes his art. People either dismiss it as throwaway art, no more skillful than a paint by numbers, they revile it for the commercialism that has made it so popular, or they cherish the homespun and idyllic scenes, the soft, pastel colors, and the light glow inherent in the paintings.
Unlike any other artist in history, Thomas Kinkade has taken an active hand in marketing his creations to the world. He has sold prints of his artwork on television, through the QVC home shopping network. He’s even trademarked the phrases “Painter of Light” and “America’s most collected living artist.”
A Thomas Kinkade painting is recognizable by the subject matter. The images are distinctly American, with some of them even coming from his hometown. Nature is often depicted in gardens, running water like streams, street, stone cottages and other settings. His paintings are simple scenes with no hidden messages or subliminal symbolism, and much of mainstream America appreciates these images of home and country, while others criticize their simplicity and straightforward style, claiming its not true art.
Often, a Thomas Kinkade painting will contain images of his daughters, or their names. And the letter ‘n’ is often emphasized in tribute to his wife. Churches and other symbols of the Christian faith are often depicted in his paintings, as he’s a devout believer who says he wants to use his artwork to touch people of all faiths. These religious paintings have made Kinkade popular among the American religious community.
Thomas Kinkade has earned millions through his artwork, thanks to unashamed promotion of it. He’s often asked to help commemorate milestones like an anniversary at Disney, and he has helped the efforts of many non-profit organizations like The Salvation Army and The Make-A-Wish Foundation. While many criticize him for his commercialism, others argue that artwork that isn’t viewed and appreciated is pointless, and at least he’s brought art to the mainstream.
Because of his efforts to popularize his artwork, a Thomas Kinkade print is one of the most easily accessible pieces of art that exists today. Original paintings cost in the thousands, but prints are affordable, helping to make him commercially popular. They can be purchased online, in auctions like eBay, and in shops that specialize in artist prints.
If you’re looking for an original painting, buy it from a respected art dealer to prevent being sold a forgery. If the price is only a few hundred dollars, chances are it’s not a true Thomas Kinkade. Other items featuring his art range from things like calendars to collector tins, so if you’re a fan you can enjoy his art in just about any form you can imagine. You can also purchase a variety of items directly from the artist’s website.
Originally posted 2008-11-11 06:19:43. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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