{"status":true,"msg":{"data":{"id":1748,"auction_id":3,"set_id":4,"lot_number":"60","artist":"Marcel Antonio (b. 1965)","title":"The Early Hint of Spring","starting_price":280000,"signed_dated":"signed (lower left)\n2006","medium":"oil on canvas","size":"40\" x 30\" (102 cm x 76 cm)","property":null,"coa":"Accompanied by a certificate signed by the\nartist confirming the authenticity of this lot","provenance":null,"exhibited":null,"literature":null,"write_up":"In this work titled Early Hint of Spring, Marcel Antonio depicts the setsubun, which marks the passing of winter and the beginning of spring in the old Japanese lunar calendar. A term that means \"seasonal division,\" setsubun is held a day before the beginning of the spring season, usually on February 2, 3, or 4. <br /><br />The Japanese practice various traditions related to the setsubun to ward off evil spirits and \"cleanse\" the beginning of the year, as spring symbolizes rebirth and renewal. In the city of Nara, the setsubun is accompanied by the practice of lighting the 3,000 lanterns of the Kasuga-taisha Shrine at night, known as the setsubun mantoro (mantoro means \"10,000 lanterns\"). The light from the lanterns symbolizes the power of knowledge over ignorance, the light of wisdom overcoming the darkness of folly. During the setsubun mantoro, people write their wishes on a small piece of paper, after which they are put on the lantern. It is believed that these wishes are granted during setsubun.<br /><br /> Antonio depicts in one of the lanterns the plum blossom or ume. Before the sakura, the ume was the original flower associated with spring. It was introduced from China in the 8th century, during Japan's Nara Period (710 CE - 784 CE). The period is characterized by the Japanese importation of elements from Chinese civilization through sending emissaries known as kentōshi to the Imperial court of Tang dynasty China.<br /><br /> In the Japanese traditional haiku or renga, the imagery of the ume is used as a kigo (\"season word\") for early spring. The ume, which symbolizes purity, were utilized as ornamental trees that adorned the gardens of the aristocrats, public places, and temples. It was also highly regarded as a means of protection against evil elements. (A.M.)","lot_group":"PAINTING","lot_details_html":"<p><strong>Marcel Antonio</strong> (b. 1965)<br /><em>The Early Hint of Spring</em> <br />signed (lower left)<br />2006<br />oil on canvas<br />40\" x 30\" (102 cm x 76 cm)</p>","alias":null,"hp":380000,"bp":0.168,"isWithdrawn":0,"accounting_hp":380000,"userBid":5926,"isPaid":0,"userId":22,"lot_status":"SOLD","isDone":1,"bid_history_id":null,"reserve_price":null,"hammer_price":443840,"fav":0},"image":[{"id":1756,"img_url":"https://leongallery.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/v2/auction/3/4/lot/60.jpg","isFeatured":1}]},"increment":[220000,240000,260000,280000,300000,320000,340000,360000,380000,400000,450000,500000,550000,600000,650000,700000,750000,800000,900000,1000000,1100000,1200000,1300000,1400000,1500000,1600000,1700000,1800000,1900000,2000000,2200000,2400000,2600000,2800000,3000000,3200000,3400000,3600000,3800000,4000000,4200000,4400000,4600000,4800000,5000000,5500000,6000000,6500000,7000000,7500000,8000000,8500000,9000000,9500000,10000000,11000000,12000000,13000000,14000000,15000000,16000000,17000000,18000000,19000000,20000000],"prev":59,"next":61,"count_bid":0,"bid_history":[],"tokenExpired":1}