Japanese Art specialist Anastasia von Seibold.
1 How did you get your start?
I started as a dealer in autumn 2020, establishing Anastasia von Seibold Japanese Art based in London, at Cromwell Place in South Kensington. However, this came after a long career in the Japanese department at Christie’s, where I worked for 14 years, becoming senior specialist and head of sales, Europe for Japanese art. Prior to that I studied Japanese and Japanese art history at Edinburgh and SOAS.
2 What is your area of focus?
Japanese woodblock prints and books from the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. However, I am also deeply interested in other areas of Japanese art including lacquer, screens and also modern and contemporary Japanese art and so I also enjoy presenting these areas in my exhibitions and on my website.
3 What is one great discovery you have made?
I am excited about an illustrated book I have in my forthcoming exhibition by Kitao Masanobu (1761-1816) which features 50 woodblock-printed illustrations of poets, each with an accompanying kyoka poem. Dated 1786, it is rare and was previously owned by the important French art historian and Japanese art collector Louis Gonse (1846-1921).
A woodblock-printed illustration by Kitao Masanobu (1761-1816).
4 What is one item you couldn’t do without?
Although technically not one item – I could not do without my library. The internet of course is an invaluable research tool, but there are many things that can only be found by looking through books, especially old catalogues.
5 Real ale or espresso martini?
Despite the fact I would lean towards an espresso martini out of the two, not really being an ale or spirit drinker, am I allowed to say neither and choose Champagne?
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