Japanese Kannon Figurine, ca. 1890

Japanese Kannon Figurine, ca. 1890
VALUE (2003) | $8,000 Auction – $12,000 Auction

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW APPRAISAL

On this episode of Antiques Roadshow Lark E. Mason appraised a Japanese Kannon Figurine, ca. 1890.

APPRAISED VALUE (2003) | $8,000 Auction – $12,000 Auction

This appraisal was featured in Chicago, Hour 1 (#0801) and was filmed in Chicago, IL  on July 26, 2003.

APPRAISAL TRANSCRIPT

GUEST:
It's an Asian figurine. I don't know very much about it. It's been with me most of my life. My parents had it.

APPRAISER:
It's truly a wonderful object. It's extraordinarily rare, great workmanship. The figure is Japanese, and it's the figure of... in China you call it Kuan Yin, in Japan it's Kannon, which is the goddess of mercy. And she's standing on a wave base. And you see that this fits in very nicely and it's got this dark, patinated surface which is purposely put on. Most people don't know that this was intentional so one does not want to polish this off. This was made around 1880 to 1900 and the amazing part, I think, is the way that the ivory has been integrated into this figure. The beads are moving to the side because she is in movement. It's not static. Real liveliness to this figure. I haven't seen one of these in eight years on the ROADSHOW.

GUEST:
Really?

APPRAISER:
Really. Any idea what you think it's worth?

GUEST:
I don't have a clue.

APPRAISER:
Can I surprise you?

GUEST:
Yeah, you can surprise me.

APPRAISER:
I'd say conservatively $8,000 to $12,000. If it sold for $10,000 to $15,000 it wouldn't shock me.

GUEST:
That's amazing.