Antique Asian Figurines

[billa]

Hi Guys…

I walked into an antique store the other day…I asked about bonsai pots.

The lovely couple running the shop explained that they do pop up occasionally….but have not had any for some time.

As I went to walk out they explained that they may have something else of interest to me.

They showed me some antique Asian figurines…now the ones I am used to are like the two old dudes smoking an opium pipe, or the fishing guy (I’m sure many of you have seen), the odd lonesome animal (usually an ox) and the Ryokan style homes… etc…..But this was different…it was a figurine of a Asian man standing about 8/9 cm tall. It looked very detailed, had many colours and was ceramic. There were 2 of them and they were made in the 60’s. There was also a ceramic bridge that was a lot older and smaller…

I have never seen these before but my questions is….do these have any value in the bonsai community like…let’s say like an antique pot…do people even use them to place near their trees?

[Phoenix238]

I've seen people using really small figures (say 1-4cm tall) to improve the illusion of a large tree by providing some scale, but remember that like all art styles, the only rules that limit your imagination are the ones you place on yourself (unless of course you plan on entering competitions or whatnot )

[bonsaibruce]

Greetings,
As with stone collecting there is a sub-group of bonsai tragics who also collect small figurines.
I would buy any antique bonsai related items.
Happy bonsai,
Bruce.

[Barry1]

Like Bruce I to would buy antique Japanese or Chinese ceramics

Barry

[daiviet_nguyen]

Hi billa,

I am not into these things, but I like your writings regardless. But I must make some comments here.

In the olden times Asian, artists including potters, painters etc were usually people with some educations. The social ranking were intellects; farmers; artists, trade men; then finally commercial, business men or money-matter men. Ranked third in the social ranking, but the line that defined intellects and artists were often blurred: one is usually the other.

-- As such, these guys were often full of themselves. In the West, there were and are still gentlemen. But in the East that did not exist, the equivalent concept has been superior men: men of superior intellect, higher education and usually of superb courage. That is, they cut their throats, ate poisons, or simply just took their guts out when they failed their duties.

As artists, their creations usually sought to reflect certain social values, help ensuring social order among the population. As such, a majority of these popular artist creations that still exist today usually do not popularise certain "forbidden-vices".

Without seeing the figure that you refer to, I would guess that depict two learned-men in the process of writing something?

-- Although behind the scenes, those "superior men" indulged themselves in all earthy-pleasures of their times. Women was no exception! (And never will be!)

Cheers.

[Guy]

they have their place but by adding figurines of any type you limit the viewers imagination.--(fencing the prairie)