A Fine Old Japanese Natural Form Burl Wood Okimono or Scholars Object

This Fine Japanese Natural Form Burl Wood Scholars Object or Okimono 

The Japanese aesthetic of using natural forms in wood with minimal carving are some of the most beautiful objects I have ever seen or collected.

A Scholars Object or Okimono is a  Japanese decorative object created specifically for visual enjoyment. This form is described in Japanese as Wabi-Sabi  

In Zen philosophy there are seven aesthetic principles for achieving Wabi-Sabi as listed below;

Fukinsei (不均斉): asymmetry, irregularity;

Kanso (簡素): simplicity;

Koko (考古): basic, weathered;

Shizen (自然): without pretence, natural;

Yugen (幽玄): subtly profound grace, not obvious;

Datsuzoku (脱俗): unbounded by convention, free;

This beautiful object can be whatever you see in it at all the different angles, just as when viewing clouds in the sky each person sees something different.

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of Japanese Art & Objects & Asian Art & Objects. 

I started collecting some Asian Artworks in my early 20s. I was fascinated not only by the beautiful forms but also by the cultures and the spirituality that created them. I love the natural form  wood objects & ceramics that the Japanese find and use in their tea ceremonies. These artworks from Japan & Buddhist Art from Tibet & SE Asia all look amazing when displayed with New Guinea & Oceanic Art, they balance & complement each other.

I first went to Papua New Guinea in 1985 for an adventure & what I found was that I really enjoyed being with the people of New Guinea, over the next 38 years I spent extensive time spent collecting and documenting traditional art & ceremonies in remote areas of Papua New Guinea & West Papua, The Solomon Islands & Vanuatu & the other Pacific Islands countries. During these travels, I made major collections of New Guinea & Oceanic Art for major Museums and Public Art Galleries

I was honoured by being in the prestigious Louvre Museum Magazine for the collections I made for The Museum of African & Oceanic Art Paris in1996 (now the Musee Quai Branly) for the exhibition “Asmat et Mimika d’ Irian Jaya April 1996 At THE MUSEE NATIONAL des ARTS D’AFRIQUE et d’ OCEANIE, Paris

See all of the links & photos in my new EXHIBITIONS GALLERY and there is the link to the article in the prestigious Louvre Magazine 1996
I have artwork for Museums & Art Galleries but also for collectors at every stage of their collecting. I want to encourage people to explore the fine art of New Guinea & West Papua and the Pacific Islands and to be able to see and touch the artworks in a relaxed and friendly manner in my Sydney Gallery.

I would like to invite you to visit my gallery and see the artworks in person and also look at my website www.oceanicartsaustralia.com where there are many Galleries & Sub Galleries to explore.
My Gallery of nearly 40 years is the last physical gallery in Sydney that specialises in New Guinea & Oceanic Art. Sydney is just a couple hours’ flight to New Guinea & the Pacific Islands where all of these amazing artworks came from, Australia’s closest neighbours.

INQUIRE HERE

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us.