Japanese Art

Since Bonhams held its first dedicated auction of fine Japanese art in 2007, the department has gone from strength to strength. The Japanese department London has cemented its market leadership in Europe after achieving world record prices for netsuke and inro. Bonhams continues to drive the market for Meiji Period metalwork, cloisonné enamel and ivory works of art. Our internationally renowned and highly regarded specialists have over 50 years combined of expertise in this area and work as part of a global team so that our clients worldwide will have the option of selling and buying at key locations.

Japanese art encompasses a broad and varied range of collecting categories, and we handle all types of antique and modern works of art including prints, paintings, screens, sculpture, lacquer, netsuke and inro, ceramics, cloisonné enamel, ivory carvings, metalwork, armor, swords and sword fittings.

Sales are held twice yearly in New Bond Street, London and Madison Avenue, New York and are scheduled to coincide respectively with 'Asian Art Week'.

Lots in future auctions

Highlights from past auctions

Sold for £169,250 inc. premium
A rare ivory netsuke of two recumbent stallions By Masanao, Kyoto, late 18th century
Sold for £115,250 inc. premium
Anonymous Edo Period, 17th century
Sold for £85,250 inc. premium
A rare wood netsuke of three monkeys By Naito Toyomasa (1773-1856), Tanba, 1820
Sold for £118,850 inc. premium
A fine, rare and small iron jizai (fully articulated) okimono of a dragon By Myochin Kiyoharu, Edo Period, 18th/19th ...