OUR GALLERYLesley Kehoe Galleries was established in circumstances which are often described as serendipitous. An academic career interrupted by the birth of a first child combined with a passion for Japanese art and culture unexpectedly leading to a career (which has surpassed all expectations.) With Lesley's first tentative purchases of netsuke in Melbourne and London, of ukiyoe prints in Japan as an exchange student, to surprising discoveries of museum quality lacquer and fine examples of Japanese ceramics, and a host of other pieces, the Galleries collection continues to grow and to provide pleasure, learning, stimulation and satisfaction to both clients and staff alike. Inevitably a business such as this revolves around a personal focus. Pieces acquired for the Galleries collection are firstly acquired from a sense of celebration of the Japanese aesthetic. Added to that are considerations of quality, authenticity, rarity and individuality, sometimes downright quirkiness is the irresistible factor. Each object is precious. Many have illustrious provenance or association, many are humble, but each is given a unique place in our collection, one which recognizes it for its intrinsic qualities. From the immediately visual we like to explore the story of each piece, its history, its sociology, its function, its genre, its associated myths and symbology. It is in this journey of discovery that the true joy of collecting art is to be found. We hope to share some of this with you on these pages.
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