Chiura Obata Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Chiura Obata Art Value Price Guide

Aug. 24, 2024
Chiura Obata (1885-1975) American/Japanese, Color Woodcut
Est: $5,000 - $10,000
Chiura Obata (1885-1975) American/Japanese, Color Woodcut. Titled: "Great Nature: Storm on Lyell Mt." Signed and has artists red chop lower right. From the 1930 World Landscape series based on his visit to Yosemite. Provenance: Private Collection, California for 3 generations since original purpose. Overall: 18 1/2 X 24 1/2 in. Sight: 11 1/4 X 16 in. #2683 . Born in the Okayama prefecture of Japan, Chiura Obata was adopted by his uncle, an artist. As a child he was trained in ink painting, and at 14 he was apprenticed to the painter Murata Tanryo in Tokyo. He also studied with Kogyo Terasaki and Goho Hasimoto. In 1903, Obata moved to San Francisco and began working as an illustrator for “The New World” and “The Japanese American,” two of the city's Japanese newspapers. He also did work as a commercial designer and embraced the Nihonga style, which fused traditional Japanese sumi-e ink painting with the conventions of western naturalism. He spent much of the 1920s painting landscapes throughout California, visiting Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada and creating over a hundred paintings and sketches of the high country. Obata stayed in the USA until the death of his father in 1928. Between 1928 and 1932, he worked in Tokyo as a painter and transformed his California landscape watercolors and sketches into a portfolio of 35 woodblock prints titled “World Landscape Series - America,” perhaps his most famous work, and the origin of this particular piece. Obata’s landscapes reveal his intensely personal and poetic vision of “Great Nature,” a vision grounded in an underlying Zen philosophy of selflessness that accepts the insignificance of human affairs in relation to the timeless forces of nature.
Sarasota Estate Auction
Jul. 19, 2024
Work on paper, Chiura Obata
Est: $800 - $1,200
Chiura Obata (American/Japanese, 1885-1975), Untitled (Tree Branch), ink on paper, signed and stamped lower right, sight: 17"h x 22"w, overall (with frame): 24.5"h x 31"w. Provenance: Private Collection, Montclair, California.
Clars Auctions
Jun. 09, 2024
Chiura Obata (1885-1975) USA/Japan, Color Woodcut
Est: $5,000 - $10,000
Chiura Obata (1885-1975) American/Japanese. Titled "Passing Rain," "High Sierra." Color Woodcut with Signature and seal bottom right. From the 1930 World Landscape Series based on his visit to Yosemite. Provenance: Private collection, California, for 3 generations since original purchase. Overall size: 18 1/2 X 24 1/2 in. Sight size: 11 1/2 X 16 in. #8002 . Born in the Okayama prefecture of Japan, Chiura Obata was adopted by his uncle, an artist. As a child he was trained in ink painting, and at 14 he was apprenticed to the painter Murata Tanryo in Tokyo. He also studied with Kogyo Terasaki and Goho Hasimoto. In 1903, Obata moved to San Francisco and began working as an illustrator for The New World and The Japanese American, two of the city's Japanese newspapers. He also did work as a commercial designer and embraced the Nihonga style, which fused traditional Japanese sumi-e ink painting with the conventions of western naturalism. He spent much of the 1920s painting landscapes throughout California, visiting Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada and creating over a hundred paintings and sketches of the high country. Obata stayed in the USA until the death of his father in 1928. Between 1928 and 1932, he worked in Tokyo as a painter and transformed his California landscape watercolors and sketches into a portfolio of 35 woodblock prints titled World Landscape Series - America, perhaps his most famous work, and the origin of this particular piece. Obata's landscapes reveal his intensely personal and poetic vision of "Great Nature," a vision grounded in an underlying Zen philosophy of selflessness that accepts the insignificance of human affairs in relation to the timeless forces of nature.
Sarasota Estate Auction
Mar. 27, 2023
Chiura Obata (1885-1975), Hanging Scroll Painting Depicting Islets in a Foggy Sea
Est: $4,000 - $6,000
Chiura Obata (1885-1975), Hanging Scroll Painting Depicting Islets in a Foggy Sea Japan, undated, with a boat and wisps of red cloud, signed, 'Chiura Obata,' in English with a two-character seal, watercolor on silk, with a box, 50 3/8 x 25 overall, painting 15 x 20 in.
Bonhams
Jan. 13, 2023
Print, Chiura Obata
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
Chiura Obata (American/Japanese, 1885-1975), "Storm on Lyell Mountain (from the World Landscape Series)," 1930, woodcut print in colors, printed at Takamizawa print studio with printer's label verso, sight: 10.75"h x 15.5"w, overall (with frame): 19.5"h x 23.5"w
Clars Auctions
Jan. 13, 2023
Print, Chiura Obata
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
Chiura Obata (American/Japanese, 1885-1975), "Upper Lyell Fork (from the World Landscape Series)," 1930, woodcut print in colors, printed at Takamizawa print studio with printer's label verso, sight: 15.5"h x 10.75"w, overall (with frame): 23.5"h x 19.5"w
Clars Auctions
Aug. 14, 2022
Silk Painting, Chiura Obata
Est: $20,000 - $30,000
Chiura Obata (Japanese/American, 1885-1975), "Deer Dance (Folk Dance), Scare Crow, Northeastern Prefecture, Japan," circa 1960, watercolor, gouache, and gold leaf on silk, signed and stamped lower left, original handwritten label affixed verso, image: 33.5"h x 21"w, overall (with frame): 46"h x 30"w. Note: This large painting on silk is notable for Obata's use of an unusual "gold dust" effect, thought to have been used on only one other painting created when he was still in Japan. In addition, the masks of the dancers are painted with a very thick paint which creates a three-dimensional effect that appears almost quilted. A similar portrayal of a human figure is in the holdings of the Crocker Art Museum.
Clars Auctions
Aug. 14, 2022
Booklet print, Chiura Obata
Est: $400 - $600
Chiura Obata (Japanese/American, 1885-1975), "The California Grizzly," 1939, lithograph in color, booklet cover slip with poetry and staff listing inside, unsigned, sheet (unframed/folded): 11.75"h x 9"w
Clars Auctions
May. 07, 2022
CHIURA OBATA 'LAKE BASIN / HIGH SIERRA' LITHOGRAPH
Est: $60 - $80
Chiura Obata (Japanese/American, 1885-1975) offset lithograph titled 'Lake Basin in the High Sierra'. Signed in the plate lower left. Measures 32" x 22 1/2".
Antiques & Modern Auction Gallery
Apr. 24, 2022
Watercolor, Chiura Obata
Est: $4,000 - $6,000
Chiura Obata (American/Japanese, 1885-1975), "Mountain Mist," watercolor, signed lower right, sight: 15.5"h x 19.75"w, overall (with frame): 26.5"h x 29.75"w
Clars Auctions
Feb. 11, 2022
CHIURA OBATA (JAPANESE/AMERICAN, 1885-1975)
Est: $200 - $600
CHIURA OBATA (JAPANESE/AMERICAN, 1885-1975) Ink wash and watercolor, one signed with chop mark. Companion studies of rearing horses, identically framed. Frames: 22" height, 18" width
Selkirk Auctioneers & Appraisers
Nov. 21, 2021
Chiura Obata (1885-1975) - Matsushima at Dawn
Est: $600 - $900
Chiura Obata (1885-1975) - Matsushima at Dawn, hanging scroll, ink and color on silk, signed Chiura Obata and with one artist seal, 15" h. x 20" w.
Clars Auctions
Aug. 20, 2021
CHIURA OBATA (JAPANESE, 1885-1975)
Est: $300 - $600
CHIURA OBATA (JAPANESE, 1885-1975) Watercolor on toned paper, signed and dated 1944 lower left. Icy blue toned waterfall scene, matted behind glass, textured, lacquered frame. Sight: 17.25" height, 12.5" width; frame: 22.25" height, 17.5" width
Selkirk Auctioneers & Appraisers
Jan. 17, 2021
Watercolor, Attributed to Chiura Obata
Est: $500 - $700
Attributed to Chiura Obata (American/Japanese, 1885-1975), Untitled (Mountain Landscape), watercolor on paper, unsigned, sight: 18.75"h x 27.25"w, overall (with frame): 27.25"h x 36"w
Clars Auctions
Sep. 21, 2020
Chiura Obata (1885-1975) Lake Basin in High Sierra, Johnson Peak, USA
Est: $4,000 - $6,000
Chiura Obata (1885-1975) Lake Basin in High Sierra, Johnson Peak, USA Color print From the World Landscape Series, mark of publisher Takamizawa to verso 17 3/4 x 13 1/2 inches Provenance: Property of a California Collector C
DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers
Sep. 13, 2020
Print, Chiura Obata
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
Chiura Obata (American/Japanese, 1885-1975), "Madam Talia Savanieva (Before Singing)," 1930, woodblock print in colors on silk, signed and dated lower right, artist's stamp lower right, image: 15.75"h x 11"w, silk: 17.75"h x 12.75"w, with mat (unframed): 20.75"h x 15"w Provenance: Gifted from the artist's private collection
Clars Auctions
Sep. 13, 2020
Work on Paper, Chiura Obata
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
Chiura Obata (American/Japanese, 1885-1975), Cherry Blossoms, ink wash on paper, signed and artist seal lower right, sight: 16.75"h x 22.75"w, overall (with frame): 27.25"h x 33.25"w
Clars Auctions
Aug. 09, 2020
Work on Paper, Chiura Obata
Est: $500 - $700
Chiura Obata (American/Japanese, 1885-1975), "Amanohashidate," circa 1935, ink wash on rice paper, unsigned, sheet (unframed): 11"h x 16"w. Provenance: Estate of J. D. Ogletree. Note: COA accompanies this lot.
Clars Auctions
Aug. 09, 2020
Work on Paper, Chiura Obata
Est: $500 - $700
Chiura Obata (American/Japanese, 1885-1975), "Amanohashidate Boat" circa 1935, ink, unsigned, wash on rice paper, sheet (unframed): 11"h x 16"w. Provenance: Estate of J. D. Ogletree. Note: COA accompanies this lot.
Clars Auctions
Aug. 09, 2020
Inkwash Scroll, Chiura Obata
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
Chiura Obata (American/Japanese,1885-1975), "Cat Sitting Between Loquat Branches," inkwash on paper on Asian scroll, signed with artist seal lower right, overall (scroll): 78"h x 17.5"w
Clars Auctions
Jun. 14, 2020
Work on paper, Chiura Obata
Est: $2,000 - $4,000
Chiura Obata (American/Japanese, 1885-1975), Untitled (View of the Bay with Eucalyptus), 1932, ink wash, signed/stamped and dated lower left, sight: 19.75"h x 14.75"w, overall (with frame): 26.5"h x 20.75"w
Clars Auctions
Apr. 19, 2020
Works on Paper, Chiura Obata
Est: $500 - $700
(lot of 2) Chiura Obata (American/Japanese, 1885-1975), Mustangs & Lotus Flowers, ink washes on paper, one signed lower right, sheet (each/unframed): 20.75"h x 15"w.
Clars Auctions
Mar. 22, 2020
Inkwash Scroll, Chiura Obata
Est: $2,000 - $4,000
Chiura Obata (American/Japanese,1885-1975), "Cat Sitting Between Loquat Branches," inkwash on paper on Asian scroll, signed with artist seal lower right, overall (scroll): 78"h x 17.5"w
Clars Auctions
Nov. 19, 2019
Chiura Obata, (1885-1975 Japanese/American), Cat lounging in garden, Watercolor on paper, Image: 5.75" H x 8.25" W
Est: $800 - $1,200
Chiura Obata (1885-1975 Japanese/American) Cat lounging in garden Watercolor on paper Signed lower right: Chiura Obata and with the artist's chopmarks Image: 5.75" H x 8.25" W
John Moran Auctioneers
Sep. 19, 2019
Chiura Obata (1885-1975), Watercolor, Carmel Cypress
Est: $1,000 - $2,500
Unframed Chiura Obata (1885-1975) watercolor on paper depicting a Carmel Cypress. Signed lower right. Dimensions: 17.5"h x 23"w. Born in Japan, Obata was initially trained in ink wash painting. He moved to San Francisco and began working as an illustrator. He is known for his landscape and nature paintings which he later converted to woodblock images. Processing and shipping within the continental U.S. $50.00 plus 1.5% replacement cost insurance.
Witherell's
Jul. 27, 2019
Chiura Obata (1885 - 1975)
Est: $700 - $900
Artist: Chiura Obata (1885 - 1975). Title: Persimmons Signature: Lower left. Size: Artwork: 17 1/4 x 22 1/2 inches. Frame: 25 x 29 1/2 inches. Created: 20th century. Medium: Water color.
Turner Auctions + Appraisals
Apr. 24, 2019
Chiura Obata (1885 - 1975)
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
Artist: Chiura Obata (1885 - 1975). Title: Persimmons Signature: Lower left. Size: Artwork: 17 1/4 x 22 1/2 inches. Frame: 25 x 29 1/2 inches. Created: 20th century. Medium: Water color.
Turner Auctions + Appraisals
Nov. 04, 2018
Chiura Obata (1885 - 1975)
Est: $8,000 - $12,000
Artist: Chiura Obata (1885 - 1975). Title: "San Francisco Bay and Bay Bridge From Berkeley Hills". Signature: Lower right. Aize: Artwork:15 x 20 1/2 inches. Frame: 23 1/4 x 29 1/4 inches. Condition: Good. Created: 1954. Medium: Water color.
Turner Auctions + Appraisals
Sep. 16, 2018
Watercolor, Chiura Obata
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
Chiura Obata (American/Japanese, 1885-1975), Jumping Fish, watercolor on paper, signed and stamped lower left, sight: 22"h xx 14.25"w, overall (with frame): 32.25"h x 23.75"w
Clars Auctions
Sep. 16, 2018
Chiura Obata (American/Japanese, 1885-1975), "Old Cypress," ink brush on paper, signed and stamped lower right, sight: 19
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
Chiura Obata (American/Japanese, 1885-1975), "Old Cypress," ink brush on paper, signed and stamped lower right, sight: 19.25"h x 15"w, overall (with frame): 27.5"h x 21.75"w
Clars Auctions
Nov. 19, 2017
Woodblock print, Chiura Obata
Est: $6,000 - $9,000
Chiura Obata (American/Japanese, 1885-1975), "Upper Lyell Fork, Near Lyell Glacier (from the World series: The Sierra)," 1930, woodblock print, Takamizawa imprint verso, titled in pencil verso, sheet (unframed): 18"h x 13.5"w
Clars Auctions
Nov. 19, 2017
Print, Chiura Obata
Est: $5,000 - $7,000
Chiura Obata (American/Japanese, 1885-1975), "Foggy Morning: Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco," 1930, woodblock print, signed stamped and dated lower right, image: 10.5" x 17" sheet (unframed): 12.75" x 19.25"
Clars Auctions
Oct. 04, 2017
Obata Chiura (1885-1975) Lychees and Grasshopper Mid-20th century
Est: $800 - $1,200
Obata Chiura (1885-1975) Lychees and Grasshopper Mid-20th century
Bonhams
Mar. 19, 2017
Woodcut, Chiura Obata, 1930
Est: $4,000 - $6,000
Chiura Obata (American/Japanese, 1885-1975), "Silence/Last Twilight on an Unknown Lake, Jhonson (Johnson) Peak, High Sierra, California, U.S.A.," 1930, woodcut and color, signed/stamped and dated lower left, printed by Takamizawa, sight: 10.75"h x 15.5"w, overall (with frame): 17"h x 21.5"w
Clars Auctions
Feb. 19, 2017
Watercolor. Chiura Obata
Est: $800 - $1,200
Chiura Obata (American/Japanese, 1885-1975), Dragonfly and Cattails, watercolor, signed and stamped lower left, sight: 22.25"h x 11.25"w, overall (with frame): 28.75"h x 17.25"w
Clars Auctions
Jan. 15, 2017
Watercolor, Attributed to Chiura Obata
Est: $400 - $600
Attributed to Chiura Obata (American/Japanese, 1885-1975), Blue Mountains, watercolor on paper, unsigned, sight: 6"h x 8.5"w, overall (with frame): 16.5"h x 18"w
Clars Auctions
Jan. 15, 2017
Ink wash, Chiura Obata
Est: $500 - $700
Chiura Obata (American/Japanese, 1885-1975), Mice and Cheese, ink wash on paper, signed/stamped lower left, sheet: 23.25"h x 16"w, overall (with mat/unframed): 26"h x 21"w
Clars Auctions
Jan. 15, 2017
Ink wash, Chiura Obata
Est: $500 - $700
Chiura Obata (American/Japanese, 1885-1975), Horse Kicking, ink wash on paper, signed/stamped lower left, sheet: 23"h x 17.5"w, overall (with mat/unframed): 26"h x 20.5"w
Clars Auctions
Dec. 11, 2016
Watercolors, Chiura Obata
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
(lot of 2) Chiura Obata (American/Japanese, 1885-1975), Mice, watercolors on paper, each stamped lower right, sights: 15"h x 20"w/10"h x 15.25"w, overalls (with mats): 21.5"h x 26"w/15.5"h x 20.25"w
Clars Auctions
Mar. 05, 2016
Chiura Obata (Japanese-American, 1885-1975)
Est: -
Horse, Ink on paper, 39 x 54 cm, Signed
Yair Art Gallery
Feb. 21, 2016
Work on Paper, Chiura Obata
Est: $400 - $600
Chiura Obata (American/Japanese, 1885-1975), Fall Leaves, ink on paper, signed upper right, sheet (unframed): 20.75"h x 15"w
Clars Auctions
Aug. 10, 2014
Work on paper by Chiura Obata
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
Chiura Obata (Japanese/Californian, 1885-1975), Lounging Leopard, drybrush watercolor, signed lower right, sight: 13''h x 17.75''w, overall (with frame): 23''h x 27''w
Clars Auctions
May. 03, 2014
Chiura Obata, Eagle Peak Trail
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
Chiura Obata, Eagle Peak Trail
Floating World Auctions
Apr. 13, 2014
Watercolor, Chiura Obata
Est: $800 - $1,200
Chiura Obata (Japanese/Californian, 1885-1975), Still Life with Flowers in a Vase, 1931, watercolor on paper, signed, stamped and dated lower right, sight: 14"h x 19"w, overall (with frame): 15.5"h x 20.75"w
Clars Auctions
Jul. 14, 2013
Drawing, Chiura Obata, Portrait of a Samurai Warrior.
Est: $500 - $700
Chiura Obata (Californian/Japanese, 1885-1975), Portrait of a Samurai Warrior, ink and color wash brush on paper, signed and stamped lower right, sight: 22"h x 16"w, overall (with frame): 29"h x 23"w
Clars Auctions
Jul. 14, 2013
Drawing, Chiura Obata, Portrait of a Woman Wearing a Kimona
Est: $500 - $700
Chiura Obata (Californian/Japanese, 1885-1975), Portrait of a Woman Wearing a Kimona, ink and color wash brush on paper, signed and stamped lower right, sight: 22"h x 16"w, overall (with frame): 29"h x 23"w
Clars Auctions
Jun. 16, 2013
Chiura Obata, Snow Topped Branch, ink on paper
Est: $400 - $600
Chiura Obata (Japanese/Californian, 1885-1975), Snow Topped Pine Branch, ink on paper, signed lower left, paper: 32"h x 16"w, overall (scroll): 45.5"h x 20.25"w
Clars Auctions
Jun. 16, 2013
Chiura Obata (1885-1975), ink and color wash brush on paper, Young samurai, signed and stamped lower right, overall 29" x 23"
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
Chiura Obata (1885-1975), ink and color wash brush on paper, Young samurai, signed and stamped lower right, overall 29" x 23"
Clars Auctions