john N Cohen

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A Series of Articles by John N. Cohen

A keen collector of very specialised Asian antiques
(As published by various Internet newsletters etc.)

See some of these articles in different languages at ArticleSet

Sensations in Glass

Collecting Magical Stone Snuff Bottles

Amazing Pictures from Natural Flaws or Inclusions Found in Stones!

Collecting & Bribery

Inside painted Snuff Bottles

Asian Antiques & The Economic Crisis

Finding the Best Bargains of All, Can Be So Surprising!

Buying Antiques in Auctions or From Dealers

Collecting Only Unique Chinese Antiques

Collecting and Buying Values

Sprinkled, Not Painted Pictures - Japanese Lacquer

Japanese Lacquer Inro & Boxes

Netsuke, Ojime and Inro Really Belong Together

Keeping and Handling Japanese Inro

John's late father George was a well known netsuke & inro collector and his book 'In Search of Netsuke & Inro' is a much sought after publication (published in 1973 and very rare, is now available on the Internet 'In Search of Netsuke & Inro').  John has followed in his father's footsteps, together with his wife, they have been very keen collectors for over 35 years.  

They owned a unique collection of Jensen classic cars of the early 60's and John used a special CV8 Jensen every day for over 30 years!  But John's father certainly influenced him in favouring and appreciating the Asian arts, his father, a great connoisseur of netsuke and inro (amongst other antiques) and John grew up sharing his passion.  As a family they have always been interested in good quality antiques but have specialised in collecting:- Japanese netsuke, lacquer inro and boxes, Chinese snuff bottles, Chinese jade and hard-stone carvings and more recently (but for over 20 years now), Chinese pendants.

Over such a long period they could not fail to acquire a good deal of knowledge and experience in these subjects, that is one of the great advantages of specialising!  John gained so much from handling and discussing pieces, with his father, through out luckily so many years.

John has written these articles with the hope of introducing readers to a fascinating pastime as well as providing some useful information to any 'would be' collectors of these most beautiful works of art.

The common denominator of all the things, they collect, is their appreciation of what can only be described as brilliant craftsmanship.  'The Cohen Collection' is internationally well known in the Asian antique market.

Most of the material, and there certainly is plenty, published on these subjects tends to be aimed at either informed collectors, or at the complete novice.  The former presume knowledge is required at great depth, whilst the latter simply describes what can be found in a very basic way.  John provides in this series of articles something between the two.

His personal views include some valuable advice that should help protect readers from making poor quality purchases.  First time buyers are so often unaware of the considerations most collectors only acquire over the years.  Although informative these articles make for light reading, the enthusiasm and love of the subject really shines through! 

Click to see more about 'The Cohen Collection'

Summaries of The Series of Articles

Japanese Netsuke and Lacquer

Sprinkled, Not Painted Pictures - Japanese Lacquer  (1,532 words*)
Explains what lacquer is, and how lacquer articles were made and copied from the Chinese.  Particularly about the later 18th and early 19th century techniques created only by the Japanese, when they became the unrivalled masters of the art!  They created incredible works where pictures were formed by pouring and sprinkling fine gold particles of various grades and pigments on to the wet lacquer.  This article describes fully these various techniques.
Lacquer sprinkled, not painted pictures

The Fascination of Japanese Lacquer Inro and Boxes  (2,411 words*)
Explaining what inro are, why and how they were made, how they were worn and used, with some useful tips on the correct way of handling inro.  Boxes are dealt with in a similar way.  Describing the choice of subject matter, the famous schools of lacquer artists, where works by the master Zeshin can be seen, and the questions that arise over the signatures.
The fascination of inro & boxes

Netsuke, Ojime and Inro Really Belong Together  (519 words*)
Explaining a little about what netsuke, inro and ojime are, also how they were used, and the fact that although these antiques are often collected separately they really belong to be together.
Netsuke, ojime & inro really belong together

Keeping and Handling Japanese Inro  (311 words*)
Describes how to care for, handle and pick up inro in order to avoid the most common ways of damaging the lacquer.  Most important information for inexperienced collectors.
Keeping and handling Japanese inro

Netsuke Cord Holes (Himotoshi)  (431 words*)
About inspecting antique netsuke, detailing the reason for different sized netsuke cord holes and how they should be positioned.  This can be one way of recognising a poor quality modern netsuke.
Netsuke cord holes (himotoshi)

( * = Approximate number of words, but not including the required link) that should read as follows: - 
The author has been a keen Asian antique collector for many years helping to create ‘The Cohen collection’.  To see more of his articles please use the following link: - http://www.jncohen.net/antiques/articles.htm   
John N Cohen's homepage: - http://www.jncohen.net  

Chinese Snuff Bottles

Collecting Magical Stone Snuff Bottles  (2,623 words*)
Some personal thoughts on collecting in general, and the possibilities in collecting Snuff Bottles.  How to avoid the normal mistakes made by most new collectors.  Describing how stone bottles were made, the ingenious way the Chinese made use of flaws to create pictures and how to evaluate them.  Also about John Cohen's first snuff bottle purchase.
Magical Stone snuff bottles

Sensations in Glass! Chinese Snuff Bottles  (1,668 words*)
How and why they decided to buy glass snuff bottles.  Detailing the amazing different types, explaining the manufacturing techniques, and how to assess them.  Dealing with:- 'Overlay Glass', 'Imperial Yellow', 'The Seal School' and 'Inside Painted' snuff bottles.  The incredible glass imitations of other materials and how to recognise them.  Some thoughts on how he values them.
Sensations in glass

Chinese Snuff Bottles - Collecting and Bribery  (1,587words*)
All the finest of Chinese art forms can be found in the form of snuff bottles.  Details about collecting stone bottles and assessing works with no signatures.  Tips on what to look out for when buying.  Relates to the largest collection formed in China by Chien-Lung's corrupt Prime minister, who was the wealthiest man in the world.  The collecting craze and how bottles have been used for bribes.
Collecting & bribery

Heavy Stones that Really Float!  Chinese Snuff Bottles  (605 words*)
All about antique hard stone Chinese snuff bottles that are described as well hollowed out and the most amazing stone snuff bottles that are so wonderfully hollowed out, that they will float in water.  Valuable guidance for potential collectors of snuff bottles.
Heavy stones that really float!

Collecting Only Unique Chinese Antiques – the What, How and Why.  (956 words*)
About collecting unique antique Chinese snuff bottles, pendants and jade carvings.  Explaining in what way these are so unique and why the author did not only collect snuff bottles.  Some useful thoughts for fellow collectors.
Collecting only unique Chinese antiques   

Amazing Pictures From Natural Flaws or Inclusions Found in Stones!  (884 words*)
How amazing pictures have been formed from natural flaws or inclusions discovered in the stones, used by the brilliant carvers of antique Chinese stone snuff bottles.
Amazing pictures from natural flaws

Inside Painted Chinese Snuff Bottles  (263 words*)
Describes these extraordinary Chinese works of art and what aspects of inside painted snuff bottles intrigue the author (a snuff bottle collector) most.
Inside Painted Chinese Snuff Bottles

( * = Approximate number of words, but not including the required link) that should read as follows: - 
The author has been a keen Asian antique collector for many years helping to create ‘The Cohen collection’.  To see more of his articles please use the following link: - http://www.jncohen.net/antiques/articles.htm   
John N Cohen's homepage: - http://www.jncohen.net  

Asian Antiques

Some of the Wealthiest Chinese are now Investing in 18^th Century Jade! (787 words*)
Certain antique jade prices have broken records because some of the wealthiest Chinese are now investing in 18^th Century Jade, as against being collectors.  They have introduced a new set of values that are hard for the older collectors to appreciate.
Some of the Wealthiest Chinese are now Investing in 18^th Century Jade!

Asian Antiques & The Economic Crisis (507 words*)
Asian antiques are still breaking records in the auction rooms, despite the current economic crisis, also explaining why this is, as well as providing guidance for new collectors.  
Asian Antiques & The Economic Crisis

Photography

How to Choose a Really Large Limited Edition Print.  (617 words)
Does size really matter? The answer has to be yes. In the current vogue for large spaces with the minimalism of clutter, rather than have a collection of pictures, just one single large picture is preferable. But how do you choose it!
How to Choose a Really Large Limited Edition Print.

Interesting New Possibilities for Art Consultants and Interior Designers (434 words***)
About beautiful pictures, that not only make quite a statement, but that can now be created as original pictures to work with any colour scheme or décor.  
Interesting New Possibilities for Art Consultants and Interior Designers

An Amazing and Unique Kodachrome Transparency (383 words***)
About the first ever picture taken on Kodachrome (transparency film) that included both a negative of a tulip and a positive image of a girl's portrait, all on the same emulsion!
An Amazing and Unique Kodachrome Transparency

The Magical Magic Lantern and Painting with Light (486 words***)
John has found that the projector really lives up to its earlier known name - 'the magic lantern', as what can be done with projectors for photographers really is magical! 
The Magical Magic Lantern and Painting with Light

A Unique and Little Known Way of ‘Painting With Light’ (593 words***)
John Cohen’s invented technique is based on using projected images that are not always projected on to a screen.
'A Unique and Little Known Way of 'Painting With Light'

( *** = Approximate number of words, but not including the required link) that should read as follows: - 
John N. Cohen: An artist and top international award winning photographer, who also became a well known Asian antiques collector (helping to create ‘The Cohen collection’) and an enthusiast of Jensen British classic cars.  
Please have a look at: - http://www.jncohen.net   
For a more detailed version of this article with all the plates please visit: - http://www.jncohen.net/Photo_magic/index.htm  To see other articles, with photographs, please use the following link:   http://www.jncohen.net/antiques/articles.htm   

Classic Car

A Rare, British, Super Classic Car . . . Surprisingly Undervalued!  (1480 words**)
Lots of details and information about the rare Jensen 541S manual drive car that suffered from the poor reputation of the rather slow automatic 541S version.
Jensen 541S

( ** = Approximate number of words, but not including the required link) that should read as follows: - 
The author owned a collection of Jensen 541S classic cars, winning a number awards with his cars, an enthusiastic member of The Jensen Owners Club for many years. To view the photographs that relate to this article please use the following link: - http://www.jncohen.net/Jensen/article.htm  He has also been a very keen collector for many years in helping to create ‘The Cohen Collection’ and he also provides a 'how to' article on photographic special effects please see  http://www.jncohen.net