31st Mar, 2025 11:00
Pursuing Perfection, the Perino Collection
58
TA 5% Vat. MARUYAMA ŌKYO (1733 — 1795)
Puppies
MARUYAMA ŌKYO (1733 — 1795)
Puppies
Edo period, 18th century
A Japanese hanging scroll painting, kakejiku, ink and colour on silk, depicting two puppies playing with an old fan, the third dog observing a cherry blossom on the ground next to him, signed Ōkyo, sealed Ōkyo/ Chūsen.
Image 112.7 x 47.6cm; total 201cm x 60.5cm
Provenance: the Claudio Perino Collection, Turin, acquired mostly in Japan in early 2000s.
Exhibited: MAO Museo d'Arte Orientale, Turin, and MUSEC Museo delle Culture, Lugano, 2020 - 2022.
Literature: the exhibition catalogue Kakemono, Five centiuries of Japanese painting. The Perino Collection, p. 122, no 104.
Maruyama Ōkyo barely needs an introduction to anyone familiar with Japanese art. This artistic titan came from a humble background and came to Kyoto to work for the rapidly developing merchant class. His inspiration was equally drawn from a fascination with Western art, the classical Chinese works, the Kanō school legacy and most of all- nature itself. This fascination with nature drew criticism of his work described by Ōkyo's competitors as ‘undignified’. Despite the negative voices, he was clearly successful enough to eventually paint for the aristocracy and even the Emperor himself. The school he established in Kyoto was one of the most influential workshops with many students including Ōkyo’s son, Maruyama Ōzui.
This gentle work depicts a charming group of puppies clumsily playing with discarded items. The realistic treatment of their expressions and appearance suggests it may have been a result of observing living animals. In Japan dogs symbolise multiple offspring and easy birth, perhaps this scroll was commissioned by a wealthy merchant as a wedding gift or an expression of hope for a big family.
This lot has been imported from outside the UK for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission (TA) regime. Import VAT is payable at 5% on the hammer price. Standard VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium. Buyers are invited to familiarise themselves with these rules prior to bidding.
Estimated at £3,000 - £5,000
MARUYAMA ŌKYO (1733 — 1795)
Puppies
Edo period, 18th century
A Japanese hanging scroll painting, kakejiku, ink and colour on silk, depicting two puppies playing with an old fan, the third dog observing a cherry blossom on the ground next to him, signed Ōkyo, sealed Ōkyo/ Chūsen.
Image 112.7 x 47.6cm; total 201cm x 60.5cm
Provenance: the Claudio Perino Collection, Turin, acquired mostly in Japan in early 2000s.
Exhibited: MAO Museo d'Arte Orientale, Turin, and MUSEC Museo delle Culture, Lugano, 2020 - 2022.
Literature: the exhibition catalogue Kakemono, Five centiuries of Japanese painting. The Perino Collection, p. 122, no 104.
Maruyama Ōkyo barely needs an introduction to anyone familiar with Japanese art. This artistic titan came from a humble background and came to Kyoto to work for the rapidly developing merchant class. His inspiration was equally drawn from a fascination with Western art, the classical Chinese works, the Kanō school legacy and most of all- nature itself. This fascination with nature drew criticism of his work described by Ōkyo's competitors as ‘undignified’. Despite the negative voices, he was clearly successful enough to eventually paint for the aristocracy and even the Emperor himself. The school he established in Kyoto was one of the most influential workshops with many students including Ōkyo’s son, Maruyama Ōzui.
This gentle work depicts a charming group of puppies clumsily playing with discarded items. The realistic treatment of their expressions and appearance suggests it may have been a result of observing living animals. In Japan dogs symbolise multiple offspring and easy birth, perhaps this scroll was commissioned by a wealthy merchant as a wedding gift or an expression of hope for a big family.
This lot has been imported from outside the UK for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission (TA) regime. Import VAT is payable at 5% on the hammer price. Standard VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium. Buyers are invited to familiarise themselves with these rules prior to bidding.
Auction: Pursuing Perfection, the Perino Collection, 31st Mar, 2025
We are thrilled to offer a selection of pieces from a distinguished Italian private collection of East Asian art.
Dr Claudio Perino begun collecting in the early 2000s. His interest in Japanese lacquer soon transitioned into woodblock prints and ceramics, eventually focusing on paintings from the Edo and Meiji periods.
Always eager to share the joy of experiencing his treasures, Dr Perino exhibited his lacquer, prints and paintings at the MAO - Museum of Oriental Art in Turin between 2008 - 2023. The twenty-four paintings featured in the current sale were a part of a large exhibition curated by Prof Matthi Forrer at the Museo delle Culture in Lugano and later the Torinian MAO between 2020 - 2022.
Among the sixty-seven lots presented here, there are a few pieces of Korean ceramics. Chinese art is represented among others by a porcelain plaque by Wang Qi, an early Qingbai ewer and two important Qing Dynasty embroidered silk robes.
Lots 38 and 40 will be a subject to a deposit payable at least 24hours before the auction day.
All lots are sold under Temporary Admission. Additional 5% is added on the hammer price, standard 20% VAT applies to our Buyer's Premium of 23%.
For any questions relating to the sale, please contact the Head of the Japanese Department, Marta Somauroo at marta@azcaauctions.com.
Viewing
7th - 30th March 2025, Monday to Friday: 11am to 4pm
Note:
Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th March the preview will be open from 11am to 4pm
