Antique Chinese Scroll, "2 Blackbirds on Willow". Original Japanese receipts read: “Christian era 1961. 22. December. Chinese pictures.” “No. 2. Twig and bird picture in ink on paper canvas. silk 2 class mounting. … the era of Ming latter term or Qing early days, about 280-310 years old. name … ?” Signature and 2 seals. Date: Circa 1651-1681. Age related wear and extensive old restorations. Dimensions approximately 48 x 10 ¾ inches. Receipts dated December 22, 1961. From the Private Collection of a North American Lady. All paintings were purchased in Post-World War II Japan from a Tokyo, Japan Paintings Collection that was originally formed in the early part of the 20th century.

Eddie's Auction is pleased to offer this Single Owner North American Estate Sale, all of old Chinese Paintings purchased some 50 years ago from Japanese Dealers in and around Tokyo in the 1960's. These are authentic early 20th Century artworks and there is natural wear as with any old paper, and many with evidence of antique restorations. Bear in mind the fragile nature of unframed Chinese scroll painting in ink and color on either handmade paper or very fine silk over paper. To have found these Chinese survivors in war torn Japan is remarkable and this is the first time since then that they have been offered for sale to the art-collecting public.