Covered Box
1990s
Neriage marbleized porcelain
Size 7 x 11¼ x 8½ in. (18 x 28.5 x 22 cm)
T-4951
Starting his studies in ceramics in 1946, Matsui Kōsei became a priest at the Gessō-ji Temple in Kasama, Ibaraki Prefecture in 1957, where he studied numerous examples of ancient Chinese, Korean and Japanese ceramics. In 1959 he restored the kiln near the temple grounds and completely focused on the research of neriage (marbleized colored-clay). Kōsei became a key figure in the revival of neriage.
From 1967, he trained under Tamura Koichi, the glaze expert, dedicating himself to the study of Chinese kneading and inlaying.
Using various techniques, Kōsei created geometric and abstract patterns. His extensive research of old techniques and his practical application of these led to a deep appreciation of his works. He was designated a Living National Treasure in 1993.
Incised aignature on the bottom reads Kō. The work comes with its original paulownia-wood tomobako storage box inscribed Blue-and-white Neriage-Ceramic Box and signed Kōsei with red seal.
Late Summer
1920s
Japan Pair of two-panel folding screens; mineral pigments, shell powder and ink on hemp
Size each screen: 67 x 74¼ in. (170 x 188.5 cm)
An Afternoon Nap
1920s
Japan Pair of two-panel folding screens; ink, mineral pigments, shell powder and gold on paper
Size each screen: 71½ x 71½ in. (181.5 x 181.5 cm)
Boys Sumo Tournament
1920s
Japan Hanging scroll; ink, mineral pigments and gold on silk
Overall size: 74¼ x 40 in. (188.5 x 102 cm); Image size: 40½ x 33¼ in. (103 x 84.5 cm)
Lingering Snow
1910s-1920s
Japan Hanging scroll; ink and mineral colors on silk
Overall size: 78½ x 21¼ in. (199.5 x 54 cm); Image size: 46 x 16¼ in. (117 x 41 cm)
Fall Colors
Ca 1930s
Japan Hanging scroll; ink and mineral pigments on silk
Overall size: 87¼ x 26¼ in. (221.5 x 66.5 cm); Image size: 57 x 20 in. (144.5 x 51 cm)
Cat among Jars
Ca 1930
Japan Hanging scroll; ink and mineral pigments on silk
Overall size: 88 x 34¾ in. (223.5 x 88.5 cm); Image size: 56 x 27¾ in. (142 x 70 cm)
Set of Paper Box, Box for Writing Utensils, and Box for Brushes with Design of Ferns
1920s, Japan
Maki-e gold lacquer on wood, silver rims
Size: paper box 4¾ x 12½ x 15¾ in. (12.2 x 31.7 x 40.4 cm)
Size writing box: 1¾ x 7½ x 9¾ in. (4.4 x 19 x 24.8 cm)
Size small box: 1¼ x 3½ x 8¼ in. (3.4 x 9.2 x 21.3 cm)
Set of Shelves with Designs Based on the Noh Drama Takasago
1910s-1920s, Japan
Maki-e gold lacquer on wood with gold foil inlays and silver hardware
Size: 14 x 26¼ x 13 in. (35.7 x 66.5 x 32.7 cm)
Flower Basket with Natural Bamboo Handle and Antique Arrow Shafts
1920s-1930s, Japan
Bamboo, rattan, lacquer and gold foil
Size: 20 x 8 x 7¾ in. (51 x 20 x 19.5 cm)
We are delighted to invite you to our new location at 8 East 67th Street, to view our inaugural exhibition Japanese Ceramics: Medieval to Contemporary! This special ceramics exhibition is devoted to a key part of the Japanese aesthetic tradition that is as dynamic today as it was 10,000 years ago. The works range from stoneware vessels dating from the fourteenth century to contemporary porcelains, including works by two Living National Treasures.
We were also pleased to participate in the annual Madison Avenue Spring Gallery Walk on Saturday, May 17 from 10am to 6pm, with special talks throughout the afternoon. Click here to learn more.
We look forward to welcoming you soon!
PAST ASIA WEEK NEW YORK EXHIBITION
Japanese Modern Masterpieces 1910–1940
March 13 – 21, 2025
Asia Week Hours: 11am-5pm, daily
We are delighted to be exhibiting Japanese masterpieces from 1910 to 1940 during this season’s Asia Week New York!
The exhibition focuses on folding screens and hanging scroll paintings from the Taisho era (1912-26) and early Showa era (1926-89), a time of great change for Japan and its arts. Superb works were created for the domestic market, in contrast to the export-oriented output during the preceding Meiji era (1868-1912). Painters of the period often experimented with new materials and perspectives and shifted from stylized depictions of nature to naturalistic botanical studies.
Next to painting, the exhibition will feature bamboo baskets and lacquer boxes from the Taisho and Showa eras, highlighting the technical perfection in works of art that were executed in traditional formats and materials but explored new worlds of expression and design.
We look forward to welcoming you to our Asia Week exhibition!
February 20 – 23, 2025
Former Klinik Gut
Via Arona, 34, 7500 St. Moritz
We are delighted to announce our participation this week in NOMAD St. Moritz, the international art fair for collectible design and contemporary art.
Taking place at the Former Klinik Gut in St. Moritz, Switzerland, our exhibition offers a selection of ceramic works by various renowned Japanese artist, among whom Sueharu Fukami and Takegoshi Jun, maki-e gold lacquer boxes, and Japanese bamboo ikebana baskets by the great masters such as Iizuka Rōkansai.
Should you be in the area, we would be delighted to see you in Room F4 of the Former Klinik Gut.
Thomsen gallery, located in a townhouse on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, offers important Japanese paintings and works of art to collectors and museums worldwide. The gallery specializes in Japanese screens and scrolls; in early Japanese tea ceramics from the medieval through the Edo periods; in masterpieces of ikebana bamboo baskets; and in gold lacquer objects. It further specializes in post-war ink art and Gutai art as well as contemporary art by select artists, such as the internationally renowned Japanese ceramic artist Sueharu Fukami, the paper artist Kyoko Ibe, and the lacquer artist Yoshio Okada.
The gallery is owned by Erik and Cornelia Thomsen, who live and work in New York. Erik has been a dealer in Japanese art since 1981; born to Danish parents and raised in Japan, he is fluent in Japanese and was the first foreigner to apprentice to an art dealer in Japan. They have three children, Julia, Anna, and Georg.
