NEW YORK, N.Y.- Bonhams is thrilled to participate in New York City’s Asia Week 2011, which brings together a variety of art outlets to celebrate Asian art from China, India, Japan, Korea, the Himalayas and Southeast Asia. Bonhams will highlight this week with two sales on September 13, 2011—The Sartin Collection of Asian Art and Fine Japanese Works of Art.

The Sartin Collection of Asian Art
The Sartin Collection of Asian Art auction comes from the impressive collection of Peter Sartin, a major supporter of the Pacific Asia Museum and one who had an eye for the unusual and rare. Predominantly consisting of Tibetan, Nepalese and Indian art and artifacts, several objects in the sale were included in the Pacific Asia Museum’s landmark exhibition titled “Wooden Wonders: Tibetan Furniture in Secular and Religious Life” (2004-2005).

Edward Wilkinson, Bonhams Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art Consultant, states, “This is the most important collection of Tibetan furniture to appear at auction, and combined with the extremely important group of silver works, it presents a wonderful opportunity for connoisseurs and new collectors alike.”

Among this exhibited collection there are several highlights to this sale. Of particular note is a 15th-16th century luminous red painted trunk with two striking “stupas” on the front. In remarkably good condition, this trunk represents the highest standards of Tibetan furniture making, with a pre-sale estimate of $15,000-20,000.

Greatly important and extremely rare are three 15th-16th century altar tables (estimated at $8,000-12,000, $5,000-8,000 and $4,000-6,000, respectively). These tables each consist of prolific carved aprons and cabriole legs. The detailing exudes the distinctive Tibetan style of power and grace.

In addition to furniture, is a highly important collection of Tibetan ritual silver objects, some of which are the finest known examples in private hands. One particular highlight, among several, is an 18th century parcel-gilt silver repoussé of figure of Padmasambhava. The Padmasambhava sculpture is a portrait of the historical figure who was responsible for establishing Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet in the 8th century. He is depicted in the form of Nyima Oser, one of his eight manifestations (est. $60,000-80,000).

In terms of refinement, the silver ritual vase offered in this sale is an ideal representation of great attention to detail with its staggering complex display of skeletal figures, skull bowls and animals associated with the charnel grounds. Because of its rarity, it was most likely kept in a private chapel and only used for specials ceremonies (est. $50,000-80,000).

Beyond the highlighted collection of furniture and ritual silver objects, there are numerous other rarities to be discovered within this collection. The auction will take place Mar. 13, 2011 at 10 a.m., EST at Bonhams’ New York headquarters.

Fine Japanese Works of Art
Following The Sartin Collection of Asian Art auction in the morning is the afternoon sale of Fine Japanese Works of Art. This season’s sale boasts lots that will appeal to a variety of markets and collectors.

Jeff Olson, Bonhams Director of Japanese Art, states, “Bonhams Japanese department is pleased to offer a wide variety of objects, paintings and prints in conjunction with the week of Asian art sales held in New York this September. We feel confident that there will something of interest to collectors in all categories of Japanese art.”

This auction contains several important armor lots; one in particular being the highly important Haruta-school tosei gusoku armor (est. $60,000-70,000). This high-quality armor, with completely matched elements - even the original green and orange lacing, is historically attributed to Okudaira Nobumasa. Nobumasa is considered a fulcrum in Japanese history because of his role in a key battle that changed the course of Japanese history. Inside the storage box, in which the armor is contained, is an inscription written by San Ko Shoeki, the founder of the Kyushoin temple in Kyoto where the armor is thought to be located. In the closing of his inscription, he states, “When I look at this armor I feel as if Lord Okudaira’s spirit is here with me, and I remember him and feel like he is here before me. This is surely a very important treasure of this temple.”

Also in the sale is a breadth of work by 20th century Japanese painter, woodblock print maker and world traveler Yoshida Hiroshi. Bonhams is privileged to continue these offerings from the Collection of Yoshida Chizuko, his daughter-in-law, after two successful sales in 2006 and 2008. Highlights from the 67 lots offered during this sale include several non-Japanese subjects done in traditional Japanese woodblock style. During his 1924 tour of North America, he was inspired greatly by several landscapes, including an oil on canvas titled Niagara Falls (1924) (est. $4,000-6,000) ; Lake Louise (1924) (est. $4,000-6,000); Grand Canyon (1924) (est. $8,000-12,000); and Southwest Landscape (1924) (est.$4,000-6,000). Several subjects he revisited a year later, to complete woodblock prints, such as the 1925 woodcut entitled Yosemitto-koku erukyapitan (El Capitan in Yosemite Valley) (est. $8,000-12,000). To name a few of the other series of his work covered in this sale are “Europe,” “Ten Views of Fuji” and “India and Southwest Asia.”

Another highlight is a hanging scroll titled “Beauty and Emma-O” by Kawanabe Kyosai, who is known for his lively compositions and virtuoso draftsmanship. As represented in this painting and several of his other works, is the King of Hell ready to hand out punishment to sinners. In this particular work, the King of Hell holds up a mirror where he sees the reflection of a disheveled courtesan waiting for punishment (est. $6,000-8,000).

This auction takes place September 13, 2011 at 1 p.m., EST at Bonhams’ New York headquarters.