| collector of antique Japanese netsuke, inro, lacquer | | | | again. With so many keen collectors, now established |
| boxes, as well as Chinese snuff bottles and Jade | | | | all over the world, searching for the very limited supply |
| carvings (particularly pendants) like all other collectors I | | | | of these fine pieces, I am convinced that this is unlikely |
| have always been looking out for the chance to buy a | | | | to be subject to any change of fashion for a very long |
| bargain! | | | | time. Although the larger Jade pieces do not sell so |
| Values | | | | easily, there are certain exceptions: very valuable |
| One has to be able to evaluate the value to be able to | | | | pieces that appeal to the Chinese taste do sell well in |
| recognise a bargain. A comparative value as applied to | | | | the Hong Kong sales, but the European market is |
| skills of craftsmanship is something I use when | | | | rather poor. This is something that could suddenly |
| considering buying. There are some limitations to this | | | | change, and I believe it will, particularly as these larger |
| however. For example one could not value paintings | | | | carvings appear better and better value for money. |
| this way, otherwise a few lines by Picasso would | | | | Bargain hunting |
| never justify being worth so much more than pictures | | | | So many collectors begin with the view that they will |
| with more intricate applications of paint. So artistic merit | | | | only buy if they are satisfied that they have found a |
| has to be another important factor. | | | | 'bargain'. Whilst this was possible many years ago, |
| It is necessary to appreciate that all prices are dictated | | | | when believe it or not, netsuke and snuff bottles were |
| only by the market place. If demand is great prices go | | | | sold in lots, which consisted of six or more at a time, |
| up, if not, they go down. This applies to antiques in just | | | | but those days have long gone by and today it is far |
| the same way as to all other commodities. However | | | | more difficult. |
| having had many years' experience as a collector I | | | | However looking back, with the advantage of hindsight, |
| have never seen prices fall in our particular fields of | | | | over so many years of collecting I have come to |
| interest as long as one bought good quality. | | | | realise that surprisingly, our very best bargains (we had |
| What has happened on the few occasions when I | | | | a few) were not the ones we had thought of as good |
| thought that prices had reached the highest point | | | | bargains – the real bargains have turned out to |
| possible (in other words ridiculously high!) was that the | | | | be more often than not, our most expensive |
| following year such records were broken! Only the | | | | purchases. These were the outstanding pieces, that |
| larger Jade carvings have not proved quite so | | | | we just had to have, even though at the time the |
| successful, this is the only area of our collecting that | | | | prices often seemed quite outrageous. |
| has been affected by less demand, and really what | | | | I remember being worried about having paid too much, |
| seems to have happened is that prices have remained | | | | on several occasions, for quite a long time afterwards. |
| static for a long time. | | | | But although I reminded myself that these were |
| Craftsmanship and fashion | | | | exceptional, very rare, superb examples, I confess I still |
| There is an element of fashion in collecting, and at the | | | | worried! I would certainly never have thought of these |
| moment, as has been the case for quite a long time | | | | as being bargains, or even potential bargains, at the |
| now, small is beautiful! So the smaller items, like most | | | | time! |
| of the antiques we collect, are in very big demand. | | | | I am not sure if there is any lesson to be learned from |
| There is more to it than that however; all the antiques | | | | all this. Yet I can now report that it is these that are |
| we collect represent such amazing craftsmanship, the | | | | now the treasures that have proved to be the most |
| like of which is certainly never likely to be produced | | | | amazing bargains of all! |