Iconic works of art from the Hauge Asian Art Collection, one of the world’s most esteemed private assemblages of Japanese, Chinese, Southeast Asian and Korean works of fine and folk art, will highlight The Potomack Company’s single-owner auction on December 6. Thousands of examples from the collection reside in the permanent collections of the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
Representing several centuries of artistically inspired Japanese utilitarian ceramics and other works of art from Asia and America, the Hauge collection was amassed by brothers Osborne and Victor Hauge and their wives, Gratia and Takako, during years of work and travel abroad in consultation with academics and dealers.
“The Hauges were connoisseurs and scholars of Asian art as well as pioneers in collecting objects that illustrated the beauty of everyday life throughout many regions of Asia,” says Pamela Cole, Director of Asian Art at The Potomack Company. “There is a lovely aesthetic and elegance even in these Japanese utilitarian vessels, and the varied glazes and textures of the pieces are to be valued as they show the unique hand of the potter.”
Victor and Takako published Folk Traditions in Japanese Art in connection with their 1978 traveling exhibition at the Cleveland Museum of Art; Japan House Gallery, New York; and Asian Art Museum, San Francisco.
Pictured from The Potomack Company’s December 6th sale is Lot 3068, a set of nine modern bizen bowls by Fujiwara Ken (Japanese, 1924-1977), including six low asymmetrical bowls with incised signature to each and in signed tomobako, with an auction estimate of $1,000-1,500.
Among the early ceramic vessels featured are Lot 3046, a 6th century Sue (Iwaibe) Pottery Flat Flask with a delicate spot of pale blue glaze to one side, estimated to bring $400-600, and Lot 3057, a 19th century Japanese Mino Hibachi with typical ash glaze, $600-800. The Hauge Collection at Potomack also includes furniture, textiles, lacquer ware and books.
The Potomack Company is a fine art and antiques auction house in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia.