262 - (R) TWO JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINT AND EDO TO MEIJI PERIOD

(R) TWO JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINT AND EDO TO MEIJI PERIOD Two Japanese prints are presented side by side on pale mounts. The left sheet contains a lively, brightly coloured figure or mask-like motif, its curling forms picked out in red, green and black beneath lines of Japanese writing. The smaller monochrome print on the right depicts a rugged rocky landscape with a conspicuous opening or natural arch. The contrast between the animated colour of one image and the restrained ink tones of the other gives the pair an engaging visual tension. Japanese woodblock printing embraced subjects ranging from popular performance and local curiosities to celebrated scenic places. Both sheets invite close looking: inscriptions contribute to their narrative character, while the deliberate economy of line allows small compositions to carry considerable expression. For lots marked with (R), a 19% VAT is added to the combined hammer price and commission. This VAT is waived for: - Private buyers outside the EU who officially export the items.- Businesses inside the EU holding a valid VAT number, exporting to their home country. Proper export documentation is required to waive the VAT