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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: DANTE5 on July 11, 2012, 12:05:27 PM

Title: Colored Woodblock Print-Kano Tan'yu 17th Century (Japanese, 1602-1674)
Post by: DANTE5 on July 11, 2012, 12:05:27 PM
Hi everyone,

The artwork is a woodcut. I got this from an antique store about 10 years ago and the dealer told me that it was an extremely valuable piece of art.  Nicely mounted and framed,with glass cover in a wooden gilted frame. On the back of the frame is a paper label reading "Kano Tan'yu 17th Century (Japanese, 1602-1674) Private Collection "Summer Palace".

Measuring 22" X 27 1/2".  I examine the painting with a magnifying glass and with the touch and feel of the painting I can say it is not a lithograph. I found a copy at this site "http://www.baxleystamps.com/litho/sr/sr_16_1-1.jpg" (www.baxleystamps.co m)
The gold in my painting seems to be applied heavier than the sample that I found. Can anyone share their take on what this may signify.  I'm trying to date my print. Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Photo's attached.  Thanks
Title: Re: Colored Woodblock Print-Kano Tan'yu 17th Century (Japanese, 1602-1674)
Post by: ghopper1924 on July 11, 2012, 04:53:07 PM
It's beyond my expertise, but it's beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
Title: Re: Colored Woodblock Print-Kano Tan'yu 17th Century (Japanese, 1602-1674)
Post by: mart on July 11, 2012, 08:36:51 PM
Might I ask what you paid for it ??
Title: Re: Colored Woodblock Print-Kano Tan'yu 17th Century (Japanese, 1602-1674)
Post by: DANTE5 on July 12, 2012, 05:59:33 AM
Hi Mart,

It was a gift.  I really have no clue what they paid.  But I would assume it was less than $100.00. ????? But they were told that it was a valuable piece. ???
Title: Re: Colored Woodblock Print-Kano Tan'yu 17th Century (Japanese, 1602-1674)
Post by: mart on July 12, 2012, 09:08:54 AM
By that,, they were likely talking about the original art that the woodblock was made from being valuable !! Not necessarily this print !!  Does it make sense that a person would sell a valuable piece of art for that price ??  Have uyou had it out of the frame to examine it, front and back ??
Title: Re: Colored Woodblock Print-Kano Tan'yu 17th Century (Japanese, 1602-1674)
Post by: DANTE5 on July 12, 2012, 02:09:28 PM
Mart.. Yes I took it out to touch it and examine it.
Title: Re: Colored Woodblock Print-Kano Tan'yu 17th Century (Japanese, 1602-1674)
Post by: mart on July 12, 2012, 02:35:13 PM
Is there anything written on the print ??
Title: Re: Colored Woodblock Print-Kano Tan'yu 17th Century (Japanese, 1602-1674)
Post by: DANTE5 on July 12, 2012, 02:46:19 PM
No, nothing written on front or back. The label I mentioned was a gold label clue to the frame backing.

However, there appears to be some type of chinese characters writing that looks like a watermark located above the Palace roofing.  A photo that is attached show these characters, they are illegible (very faint).
Title: Re: Colored Woodblock Print-Kano Tan'yu 17th Century (Japanese, 1602-1674)
Post by: mart on July 12, 2012, 03:03:58 PM
Most of the woodblock prints of the 17th century were done with ink and two or three colors !! They had to have a separate plate for each color !! The later prints had more and 20th century incorporated hand painting with the finished print !! I am thinking that is what yours is a 20th century print !! You did say the gold was heavier than the rest didn`t you ?? Of course I can`t look at it to see the paper or how it was done !! I would take it to a museum and get the curator to have a look at it !! They can tell by the paper what the timeline is for it !!  Some of the older prints are fair money !!  Not enough to retire on but nothing to sneeze at either !!
Title: Re: Colored Woodblock Print-Kano Tan'yu 17th Century (Japanese, 1602-1674)
Post by: DANTE5 on July 12, 2012, 03:19:54 PM
Mart... I appreciate your comments.  I can say that it not a 17th century print, that's for sure.  Yes, the gold on my print is applied a lot heavier than the sample I found on the internet.

One additional observation I made was the print does not has any edge work.(i.e. the colors do not end at the edge abruptly they flow without a margin.) It appears that the ink or stains applied was applied on every inch of the paper stock. (similar to a poster board).  I was also convinced after examining the edges that it was handcolored and not a lithograph.
Title: Re: Colored Woodblock Print-Kano Tan'yu 17th Century (Japanese, 1602-1674)
Post by: mart on July 12, 2012, 06:56:57 PM
Well assuming it is a 20th century print,, it could be worth a few hundred !! I would still get someone to look at it !!
Title: Re: Colored Woodblock Print-Kano Tan'yu 17th Century (Japanese, 1602-1674)
Post by: DANTE5 on July 12, 2012, 07:19:05 PM
Sure thing.  Thanks again for your help.
Title: Re: Colored Woodblock Print-Kano Tan'yu 17th Century (Japanese, 1602-1674)
Post by: mart on July 12, 2012, 07:45:50 PM
Dont forget to let us know if you find out more about it and its value !!!
Title: Re: Colored Woodblock Print-Kano Tan'yu 17th Century (Japanese, 1602-1674)
Post by: DANTE5 on July 12, 2012, 08:07:18 PM
Will do.