1Earth Antiques & Appraisals Magazine > Asian Works of Art > Feature: Why Collect Asian Art?

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Why Collect Asian Art? Blending Asian Ceramics Into Your Decor Tang Dynasty earth spirit figure, c. 618-907 A.D. Asian ceramics blend seamlessly with any style of interior. The English "treasure houses" were filled with Chinese export ceramics, Japanese lacquer, and other Orientalia. French palaces held vast quantities of gilt-bronze mounted Chinese ceramics, which were often mounted after they had been damaged but were too valuable (even when broken) to be discarded. The Dutch Delft, German Meissen, and English Chelsea porcelain factories all imitated Chinese and Japanese patterns, which were prohibitively expensive at the time. Old Master paintings often depict elaborate still life tableaux, which frequently included Chinese blue and white porcelain amidst the subject matter. The Asian concept of looking back to a classical time and a craft tradition that values the discipline of the art rather than the individual artist's contribution is so antithetical to our Western views that it forms a fascinating counterpoint to look at our own art and culture in a different way. Obviously, there are exceptions to every rule, but generally Asian art tends to be undervalued in relation to the amount of artistry involved in the fabrication of each piece. For those interested in looking at art and antiques in a new way, the question isn't "Why Asian art?" but rather, "Why not?"

Glossary of terms used in Asian art Vajrapani, big 16"  $700 The Art of Southeast Asia : Cambodia Vietnam Thailand Laos Burma Java Bali by Philip Rawson Wisdom and Compassion: The Sacred Art of Tibet by Marylin Rhie The Japanese Print: A Historical Guide by Hugo Munsterberg Symbols of Japan: Thematic Motifs in Art and Design by Merrily Baird Three Thousand Years of Chinese Painting (The Culture & Civilization of China) by Richard Barnhart Ancient Sichuan: Treasures from a Lost Civilization by Robert Bagley Oriental Rugs of the Silk Route: Culture, Process, and Selection by John Gregorian Tibetan Art: Toward a Definition of Style by Jane Casey Singer The Japanese Print: A Historical Guide by Hugo Munsterberg Burma's Lost Kingdoms: Splendors of Arakan by Pamela Gutman Japanese Ink Painting: The Art of Sumi-E by Naomi Okamoto Masterpieces of Japanese Prints: Ukiyo-E from the Victoria and Albert Museum by Richard Lane History of Japanese Art by Penelope Mason Chinese Art at the End of the Millennium by John Clark Myths and Symbols in Indian Art and Civilization by Heinrich Zimmer The Ceramics of Southeast Asia: Their Dating and Identification by Roxanna Brown Chinese Art and Culture by Robert Thorp Taoism and the Arts of China by Stephen Little A History of Far Eastern Art by Sherman Lee The Jewelry of Nepal by Hannelore Gabriel Tibetan Thangka Painting: Methods & Materials by David Jackson Frank Lloyd Wright and the Art of Japan: The Architect's Other Passion by Julia Meech-Pekarik Art of Ancient India: Buddhist, Hindu, Jain by Susan Huntington Indonesian Accents: Architecture, Interior Design, Art by Tan Hock Beng