Many of the dealers who traditionally make the trip to Manhattan to put on selling exhibitions will be limited to an online-only presence showing their stock via the AWNY website as well as their own.
Some New York resident galleries will be putting on exhibitions but will be open by appointment only.
In total, 29 galleries are taking part in AWNY either virtually or by appointment. More details can be found via the usual festival website.
Pictured here is a small taste of what will be on offer.
Quirky and the classic
Chinese furniture is the speciality of dealer Nicholas Grindley. He says of this year’s online exhibition for AWNY: “Participating in the virtual exhibition gives us an opportunity to showcase some of the quirkier objects we have in our inventory, as well as selecting a few classic pieces of Chinese furniture.”
Among the more unusual objects is this Qing dynasty, 18th/19th century, Chinese bamboo folding frame (pictured top), probably for a mosquito net. Each circular section stay is hinged at right angles to the next with metal mounts, to create a semi-circular arc, 7ft (2.14m) in length, over which the net would be placed.
Celebrated natural history
Watercolour on paper of a bird (probably an Asian Koel), painted in Calcutta in 1777 by Shaykh Zayn al-Din, available from Francesca Galloway.
London dealer Francesca Galloway’s online exhibition has the overall aim of showcasing “some of the immense diversity, inventiveness, and global reach of the arts of India through textiles, paintings, and objects”. Also included will be some items from Persia, the Ottoman Empire and Cambodia.
Pictured here is a watercolour on paper of a bird (probably an Asian Koel), painted in Calcutta in 1777 by Shaykh Zayn al-Din. The 19in x 2ft (48.5 x 60.5cm) folio is one of the earlier works from the celebrated set of 326 paintings of natural history subjects commissioned from this artist and his contemporaries by Lady Impey, wife of Elijah Impey, Chief Justice of Bengal.
Now known as the Impey album, the subjects in this ensemble were fauna taken from the Impeys’ menagerie and aviary in the grounds of their estate in Calcutta.
Peacock protection
Nineteenth century Persian helmet or khula-khud from the Qajar dynasty, from dealer Runjeet Singh.
UK dealer Runjeet Singh specialises in antique Eastern arms and armour. Among the pieces he will be showcasing for his online display for AWNY is this 19th century Persian helmet or khula-khud from the Qajar dynasty. The helmet is shaped in the form of a peacock featuring moulded wings and chased feathers with floral patterns.
Sword in hand
Watercolour on an 8 x 4¾in (20.5 x 12cm) folio which is from a Shahnama created at the court of Ibrahim Adil Shah II (1571-1627), available from Oliver Forge and Brendan Lynch during AWNY.
Oliver Forge and Brendan Lynch is another London dealership taking part virtually in AWNY. The 11 items presented on the AWNY website will include a group of Indian paintings and three objects: a 12th century Kashan pottery bowl; a Turkish parcel gilt ewer and basin and an 18th century bidri ware incense burner.
This small 5in x 3in (13.5 x 8cm) watercolour on an 8 x 4¾in (20.5 x 12cm) folio is from a Shahnama created at the court of Ibrahim Adil Shah II (1571-1627), fifth sultan of Bijapur, in the Deccan, c.1610. Set in a sumptuous palace chamber and with extensive use of gold leaf, it depicts the hero Rustam, hand on sword, in front of the throne of Shah Kai Kavus, having knocked Tus to the floor.
Tradition redefined
Shigaraki vase from c.1960 by Kitaoji Rosanjin (1883-1959), available from Joan B Mirviss.
The New York gallery Joan B Mirviss specialises in Japanese ceramics and fine art. For AWNY the gallery is presenting an exhibition titled Tradition Redefined: Rosanjin and his rivals, devoted to the 20th century ceramicist Kitaoji Rosanjin (1883-1959) and his place within this Japanese artistic milieu.
The exhibition is open by appointment and among the works on offer will be this 11½ x 11¼in (29 x 28.5cm) glazed stoneware Shigaraki vase from c.1960.
Hidden beauty
Beauty Beneath a Mosquito Net, a colour woodblock fan print in ink on paper from c.1832 by Utagawa Kunisada, available from Sebastian Izzard.
The work of the Japanese artist Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865) is the focus of New York dealer Sebastian Izzard Asian Art’s exhibition for AWNY.
The exhibition is open by appointment and can also be viewed on the gallery website. It is accompanied by a detailed illustrated catalogue and features 64 items, a mix of paintings, prints and illustrated books, with prices ranging from $6000-250,000.
Pictured here is Beauty Beneath a Mosquito Net, a colour woodblock fan print in ink on paper from c.1832.
Dealer participants in Asia Week New York
- Akar Prakar, New Delhi
- Art Passages, San Francisco
- Chambers Fine Art, New York
- Dai Ichi Arts, New York
- Egenolf Gallery Japanese Prints, California
- Francesca Galloway, London
- Hara Shobo, Tokyo
- Hiroshi Yanagi Oriental Art, Kyoto
- HK Art & Antiques, New York
- Ink Studio, Beijing
- Joan B Mirviss, New York
- Kaikodo, Hawaii
- Kapoor Galleries, New York
- Koichi Yanagi Oriental Fine Art, New York
- Miyako Yoshinaga, New York
- Nicholas Grindley, New York, London
- Oliver Forge and Brendan Lynch, London
- Onishi Gallery, New York
- Prahlad Bubbar, London
- Ralph M Chait Galleries, New York
- Runjeet Singh, UK
- Scholten Japanese Art, New York
- Sebastian Izzard, New York
- Susan Ollemans Oriental Art, London
- Tai Modern, Santa Fe
- The Art of Japan, Medina
- Thomas Murray, California
- Thomsen Gallery, New York
- Zetterquist Galleries, New York
