Author - Robert Waterhouse

Paintings and Calligraphy

Robert Waterhouse2019-09-13T01:44:42+00:00

Frankly the most difficult area of current scholarship. Asia’s history of honorary reproduction and the commonplace “student coping master” relationship has resulted in a difficult collecting landscape.
However, authenticity and attribution can be made with object history, knowledge and collaboration.
Interestingly age does not necessarily guarantee high value when appraising Asian Painting and works on paper. It’s commonplace for a mid-20th century Chinese or South East-Asian painting to be of more value than a 17th century Korean portrait. Value is determined […]

Scholars Objects

Robert Waterhouse2019-09-13T03:24:20+00:00

Consisting of both the functional and fantastical, objects of stone, wood, porcelain and other precious materials were crafted to adorn desks and inspire abstraction while at study.
Made for the “official” (those passing the civil service exam) and “literati” (wealthy) class that ruled Asia for over two millennia.
The scholars enjoyment, of placing a inked brush into a pot of intensely rare wood, carved in painstaking detail, mounted in a perfectly turned rim and base of a highly valuable precious material […]

Jade, Jadeite and hardstone carvings

Robert Waterhouse2019-09-13T02:17:10+00:00

Stones of precious and celestial importance have been culturally significant in China for several millennium.
Ranging in color, composition and translucency, hardstones of importance maybe of a ceremonial purpose (ceremonial ax blades) or of a simply utilitarian purpose ( snuff bottles and garment belts).
Stones of agate, carnelian, Lapis and other semi-precious stones have been used in China for centuries. Semi-precious stones are often carved to incorporate naturally accruing Imperfections, producing wonderful silhouettes and cameos.
Identifying country of origin, age and quality […]

Classical Chinese Furniture

Robert Waterhouse2017-12-28T00:57:11+00:00

The simplicity of Classical Chinese Furniture has drawn admires from both the East and West for centuries.
Value and rarity often depends upon wood variety, age and construction, Mr Waterhouse is skilled in identifying the exceptional from the provincial. The difference often only being a sublet characteristic in wood grain or carving.
Classical Chinese furniture is often constructed from three varieties of tropical hardwood
( huanghuali, zitan and hongmu) or of less desirable domestic softwoods.
The wood used is often the first consideration […]