March 22 to March 26, 2002

International Asian Art Fair

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Damrosch Park
West 62nd Street, New York City
Benefit Preview for the Asia Society: March 21

Please look for SJA at the International Asian Art Fair! We are delighted to be participating for the first time in this prestigious show and will be offering a refined selection of Japanese works of art. Highlights include an unusually delicate early 18th century Rimpa school two-panel screen of Flowers and Trees of the Four Seasons. SJA will also be exhibiting a rare early 19th century 'spitting ink' lacquer suzuribako (writing box). This much-sought subject, illustrating a courtesan forming characters shinobu koi (secret love) by spitting ink on a wall, is in remarkably good condition. The composition is taken directly from a design of renowned ukiyo-e artist Nishikawa Sukenobu (1671-1751) after an illustrated book, Ehon tamakazura, first published in 1717 (for comparison see illustration).

SJA will also be featuring a grouping of high-quality netsuke at the art fair. Highlights include an 18th century ivory dog by the famed Kyoto school artist Okatomo; an eerie 19th century female ghost carved in bone; a slightly suggestive, a 19th century befuddled ivory octopus on a clamshell by Genryosai; and an unsigned 19th century deceptively erotic ivory mother with baby.

More information on the fair is available at www.haughton.com