A Series of Articles

by
John Neville Cohen

A keen collector of very specialised Asian antiques

These articles are intended to be of help to new collectors

(As published by various Internet newsletters etc.)




View the summary and approximate word count of each article

 

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All these articles are available for free publication, but no alterations are permitted and all the working links must be included, please email John for permission before publication.

  Asian Antiques

Chains Carved Out of a Single Piece of Jade Rock - Jade Chain Vases



Some of the Wealthiest Chinese are Now Investing in 18^th Century Jade!



Finding the Best Bargains of All, Can Be So Surprising!



Buying Antiques in Auctions or From Dealers



Collecting Only Unique Chinese Antiques



Collecting and Buying Values



Asian Antiques & The Economic Crisis

 

Chinese Snuff Bottles

Heavy Stones that Really Float!
 


Sensations in Glass



Collecting Magical Stone Snuff Bottles



Amazing Pictures from Natural Flaws or Inclusions Found in Stones!



Collecting & Bribery



Inside painted Snuff Bottles

  Japanese Netsuke & Lacquer

'Buying Antiques at Auction or from Dealers?' Page 53.  Published in 'EuroNetsuke' Edition 62, Autumn 2022



Netsuke Cord Holes (Himotoshi)



Sprinkled, Not Painted Pictures - Japanese Lacquer



Japanese Lacquer Inro & Boxes



Netsuke, Ojime and Inro Really Belong Together



Keeping and Handling Japanese Inro

 

All Free for Internet Publication.  Subject to publishing the entire article (without any changes) including the required active links that must work properly.

 

About John Neville Cohen and 'The Cohen Collection'

John Neville Cohen's late father George was a well known netsuke and inro collector and his (now very rare) book 'In Search of Netsuke & Inro' is a much sought after publication.  John has followed in his father's footsteps and together with his wife Trudy; they have been very keen collectors for well over 35 years. 

They owned and formed various collections of antiques and even a unique collection of Jensen 541S classic cars of the early 60's.  John even used regularly a special rare CV8 Jensen every day for over 30 years!  But John's father certainly influenced him in favouring and appreciating the Asian antiques, his father, a great connoisseur of netsuke and inro, particularly loved (amongst other antiques) and John grew up sharing his passion.  As a family they have always been interested in the finer quality antiques, but have specialised in collecting: - Japanese netsuke, inro, ojime, and lacquer boxes, Chinese snuff bottles, jade, ivory and hard-stone carvings and more recently (but for over 20 years now), Chinese pendants.

Over such a long period they could not fail to acquire a good deal of knowledge and experience in these subjects, that is one of the great advantages of specialising!  John gained so much too from handling and discussing pieces, with his father, through out, luckily, so many years.

The common denominator of all the things, they collect, are their appreciation of what can only be described as brilliant craftsmanship.  'The Cohen Collection' of Asian antiques is Internationally well known amongst the Asian antique world. 

John has published and made available on the Internet these two very fine reference works 'The Cohen Collection' together with 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro'.  The connoisseur will be able to appreciate the excellent work of several 18th century master carvers as well as that of more recent artists. 

'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' differs from most other studies, as it is not purely technical, although it contains useful and practical information.  In the hope of attracting new enthusiasts John's father George has written an entertaining account of his personal experiences in forming this collection, relating many amusing incidents as well as describing the pleasure and satisfaction to be enjoyed by those who collect these elusive miniatures of Japanese art.

The Internet site has well over 645 colour photographs, close ups of signatures and seals, plus descriptions by the world's top specialists, such as Neal K. Davey and Robert Hall, making it an invaluable reference study - it also contains a number of articles too!  All 720 pages can be found at https://www.jncohen.com

John has written a number of articles (some were written quite a few years ago) with the hope of introducing readers to a fascinating pastime as well as providing some useful information to any 'would be' collectors (or beginners) of these most beautiful works of art.

Most of the material, and there certainly is plenty, published on these subjects tends to be aimed at either informed collectors, or at the complete novice.  The former presume knowledge is required at great depth, whilst the latter simply describes what can be found in a very basic way.  John provides in his series of articles something between the two.  https://www.jncohen.com/Articles/articles.html

His personal views include some valuable advice that should help protect readers from making poor quality purchases.  First time buyers are so often unaware of the considerations most collectors only acquire over many years.  Although informative these articles also make for light reading, the enthusiasm and love of the subject really shines through!

  Summaries of The Series of Articles


Japanese Netsuke and Lacquer

Sprinkled, Not Painted Pictures - Japanese Lacquer  (1,532 words*)
Explains what lacquer is, and how lacquer articles were made and copied from the Chinese.  Particularly about the later 18th and early 19th century techniques created only by the Japanese, when they became the unrivalled masters of the art!  They created incredible works where pictures were formed by pouring and sprinkling fine gold particles of various grades and pigments on to the wet lacquer.  This article describes fully these various techniques.
Lacquer Sprinkled, Not Painted Pictures


The Fascination of Japanese Lacquer Inro and Boxes  (2,411 words*)
Explaining what inro are, why and how they were made, how they were worn and used, with some useful tips on the correct way of handling inro.  Boxes are dealt with in a similar way.  Describing the choice of subject matter, the famous schools of lacquer artists, where works by the master Zeshin can be seen, and the questions that arise over the signatures.
The Fascination of Inro & Boxes


Netsuke, Ojime and Inro Really Belong Together  (519 words*)
Explaining a little about what netsuke, inro and ojime are, also how they were used, and the fact that although these antiques are often collected separately they really belong to be together.
Netsuke, Ojime & Inro Really Belong Together


Keeping and Handling Japanese Inro  (311 words*)
Describes how to care for, handle and pick up inro in order to avoid the most common ways of damaging the lacquer.  Most important information for inexperienced collectors.
Keeping and Handling Japanese Inro


Netsuke Cord Holes (Himotoshi)  (431 words*)
About inspecting antique netsuke, detailing the reason for different sized netsuke cord holes and how they should be positioned.  This can be one way of recognising a poor quality modern netsuke.
Netsuke Cord Holes (Himotoshi)


* = Approximate number of words, not including the required link, that should read as follows: - 

The author has been a keen Asian antique collector for many years helping to create ‘The Cohen Collection’.  To see more of his articles please use the following link: - https://www.jncohen.com/Articles/articles.html


John Neville Cohen's homepage: - https://www.jncohen.net

 

  Chinese Snuff Bottles

Collecting Magical Stone Snuff Bottles  (2,623 words*)
Some personal thoughts on collecting in general, and the possibilities in collecting Snuff Bottles.  How to avoid the normal mistakes made by most new collectors.  Describing how stone bottles were made, the ingenious way the Chinese made use of flaws to create pictures and how to evaluate them.  Also about John Cohen's first snuff bottle purchase.
Magical Stone Snuff Bottles


Sensations in Glass! Chinese Snuff Bottles  (1,668 words*)
How and why they decided to buy glass snuff bottles.  Detailing the amazing different types, explaining the manufacturing techniques, and how to assess them.  Dealing with:- 'Overlay Glass', 'Imperial Yellow', 'The Seal School' and 'Inside Painted' snuff bottles.  The incredible glass imitations of other materials and how to recognise them.  Some thoughts on how he values them.
Sensations in Glass


Chinese Snuff Bottles - Collecting and Bribery  (1,587words*)
All the finest of Chinese art forms can be found in the form of snuff bottles.  Details about collecting stone bottles and assessing works with no signatures.  Tips on what to look out for when buying.  Relates to the largest collection formed in China by Chien-Lung's corrupt Prime minister, who was the wealthiest man in the world.  The collecting craze and how bottles have been used for bribes.
Collecting & Bribery


Heavy Stones that Really Float!  Chinese Snuff Bottles  (605 words*)
All about antique hard stone Chinese snuff bottles that are described as well hollowed out and the most amazing stone snuff bottles that are so wonderfully hollowed out, that they will float in water.  Valuable guidance for potential collectors of snuff bottles.
Heavy Stones That Really Float!


Collecting Only Unique Chinese Antiques – the What, How and Why.  (956 words*)
About collecting unique antique Chinese snuff bottles, pendants and jade carvings.  Explaining in what way these are so unique and why the author did not only collect snuff bottles.  Some useful thoughts for fellow collectors.
Collecting Only Unique Chinese Antiques


Amazing Pictures From Natural Flaws or Inclusions Found in Stones!  (884 words*)
How amazing pictures have been formed from natural flaws or inclusions discovered in the stones, used by the brilliant carvers of antique Chinese stone snuff bottles.
Amazing Pictures From Natural Flaws


Inside Painted Chinese Snuff Bottles  (263 words*)
Describes these extraordinary Chinese works of art and what aspects of inside painted snuff bottles intrigue the author (a snuff bottle collector) most.
Inside Painted Chinese Snuff Bottles


* = Approximate number of words, not including the required link, that should read as follows: - 

The author has been a keen Asian antique collector for many years helping to create ‘The Cohen Collection’.  To see more of his articles please use the following link: - https://www.jncohen.com/Articles/articles.html 

John N Cohen's homepage: - https://www.jncohen.net

 

  Asian Antiques

Chains Carved Out of a Single Piece of Jade Rock - Chinese Jade Chain Vases (502 words*)
About the incredible skills in carving Chinese jade vases with covers connected by a chain, where everything has been carved out of just one stone! 
Chains Carved Out of a Single Piece of Jade Rock - Jade Chain Vases


Some of the Wealthiest Chinese are Now Investing in 18^th Century Jade! (787 words*)
Certain antique jade prices have broken records because some of the wealthiest Chinese are now investing in 18^th Century Jade, as against being collectors. They have introduced a new set of values that are hard for the older collectors to appreciate. 
Some of the Wealthiest Chinese are Now Investing in 18^th Century Jade!


Asian Antiques & The Economic Crisis (507 words*)
Asian antiques are still breaking records in the auction rooms, despite the current economic crisis, also explaining why this is, as well as providing guidance for new collectors.  
Asian Antiques & The Economic Crisis


Finding The Best Bargains of All, Can Be So Surprising  (678 words*)
The author after many years experience, in buying rather specialised antiques, has found to his surprise that the very best bargains turned out not to be the ones he bought as such.  But maybe there is a useful lesson to learn here for fellow collectors.
Finding The Best Bargains of All


How Best to Begin Buying Antiques in Auction or From Dealers  (917 words*)
Some personal guidance on how to begin buying antiques from dealers, or in the auction room, as a collector.  Some valuable insights not generally known, that will equally apply to all types of antique collecting.
Buying Antiques in Auctions or From Dealers


Collecting and Buying Values  (2,611 words*)
Describes how, why, and what they collect.  How the author relates values, by comparing craftsmanship and comparative prices between the subjects of interest to him.  Plus information on how best to buy at auction and from the dealers.
Collecting and Buying Values


* = Approximate number of words, not including the required link, that should read as follows: - 

The author has been a keen Asian antique collector for many years helping to create ‘The Cohen Collection’.  To see more of his articles please use the following link: - https://www.jncohen.com/Articles/articles.html


John Neville Cohen's homepage: - https://www.jncohen.net