Like Campbell’s Soup and Marilyn Monroe, flowers are a defining subject of Andy Warhol’s Pop-oeuvre, with his Flowers paintings and prints serving as a revitalization of the so-called European genre painting resulting into some of the most iconic images of Post War. If the Flowers paintings and prints saw Warhol turn the Western flower painting genre on its head, his Kiku portfolio looks to the East, interpolating up a long history of flower iconography in Japan.
Introduction
The kiku, or chrysanthemum, has featured prominently in Japanese art for centuries due to its status as a symbol of the arrival of autumn as well as longevity and good fortune; it was first brought from China during the Nara period as a medicinal plant, and was later popularized by Heian period nobles for its associations with beauty, purity and renewal. While not the national flower of the country, it features centrally on the Japanese passport as their Imperial Seal and has grown to an immensely popular motif for textiles, pottery and poetry. Warhol visited Japan twice: in 1956, Kyoto was his first international destination on a trip around the world, and in 1974 he returned for his first solo exhibition in the country at the Daimaru Department Store. On these trips, Warhol drew scenes of the country and collected souvenirs, familiarizing himself with the omnipresent chrysanthemum symbol.
“I always notice flowers.”
Kajita Hanko, White Chrysanthemums (kiku no kaori), 1902, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Image: © Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Lincoln Kirstein, 1959, JP3318
In 1982, nearly 20 years after the artist’s first Flowers paintings and almost 30 years after his first trip to Japan, Warhol was commissioned by Fujio Watanuki, founder of the Gendai Hanga Center in Tokyo, to create a portfolio inspired by the Japanese chrysanthemum. The three prints that comprise Kiku are each uniquely intimate in scale within the context of Warhol’s oeuvre, presenting gestural outlines of the revered flower atop dynamic gradient backgrounds in a combination of naturalism and abstraction. With their lively compositions and boldly unified color palettes of pinks, blues and yellows, Kiku is an affecting tribute to the history of Japanese printmaking and culture, while reifying the global influence of Warhol’s immensely popular depictions of flowers.
[Left] Andy Warhol, Kyoto, 1956. Artwork: © 2025 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
[Right] Andy Warhol, Herai Shrine Kyoto, Japan, 1956. Artwork: © 2025 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
Named from the Japanese word for Chrysanthemum, Kiku was commissioned from Warhol in 1983. The portfolio is based on the iconography of the Royal House of Japan. Along with the Love series, Kiku is one of only two series by Warhol published in Japan. Illustrative of the extensive experimental quality of the Factory proofing process, each unique color combination feels vibrant and complementary. Kiku highlights Warhol’s confidence with color by this period.
Source: Phillips
Kiku, 1983
Kiku
The complete set of three screenprints in colors
Medium: Screenprint in colors on Rives BFK paper
Year: 1983
Sheet: 19 5/8 x 26 inches (50×66 cm)
Edition: 300
Artist’s Proofs: 30 AP
Printer’s Proofs: 3 PP
Exhibitor’s Proofs: 5 EP
Hors Commerce: 18 HC for II.307, 15 HC for II.308, 17 HC for II.309
Printer: Rupert Jasen Smith, New-York, USA and Ryoichi Ishida, Tokyo, Japan
Publisher: Gendai Hanga Center, Tokyo, Japan
Literature: Feldman & Schellmann II.307-309
Each signed and numbered in pencil
With the blindstamp of the publisher, Gendai Hanga Center, Tokyo
With the blindstamp of the printer, Ryoichi Ishida, Tokyo,
With the artist’s copyright inkstamp (on reverse)
1. Kiku (F&S II.307)
2. Kiku (F&S II.308)
3. Kiku (F&S II.309)
2026 Auction Results
Kiku, 1983
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GPB 83,850 / USD 112,780
COMPLETE SET
Kiku (F. & S. 307-309), 1983
The complete set of three screenprints in colours on BFK Rives paper
All signed and numbered 134/300 in pencil
(there were also 30 artist’s proofs)
Published by Gendai Hanga Center, Tokyo, Japan (with their blindstamp)
2025 Auction Results
#1. Kiku, 1983
Estimated: USD 70,000 – 90,000
USD 70,950
COMPLETE SET
(there were also 30 artist’s proofs)
Published by Gendai Hanga Center, Tokyo, Japan
(with their blindstamp)
#2. Kiku, 1983
LA Modern: 3 September 2025
Estimated: USD 40,000 – 60,000
USD 69,850
COMPLETE SET
Signed and numbered to lower edge of each work ‘95/300 Andy Warhol’ with blindstamps
Artist’s stamp to verso of each work
#3. Kiku, 1983
Rago: 5 June 2025
Estimated: USD 60,000 – 80,000
USD 57,150
COMPLETE SET
ANDY WARHOL (1928–1987)
Kiku (three works) (Feldman/Schellmann II.307-309), 1983
Screenprint in colors on BFK Rives
Signed and numbered to lower edge of each work ‘210/300 Andy Warhol’ with blindstamps
XXXXXXXXXX
#1. Kiku (F&S II.307), 1987
Christie’s New-York: 16 April 2025
Estimated: USD 15,000 – 20,000
USD 37,800
ANDY WARHOL (1928-1987)
Kiku: one print (Feldman and Schellmann II.307), 1983
Screenprint in colors on Rives BFK paper
Signed in pencil, numbered 73⁄300
#2. Kiku (F&S II.309), 1983
Forum Auctions: 10 December 2025
Estimated: GBP 18,000 – 22,000
GBP 17,000 (Hammer)
GBP 22,364 / USD 29,900
ANDY WARHOL (1928-1987)
Kiku (Feldmann & Schellmann II.309), 1983
Screenprint in colors on BFK Rives paper
Signed in pencil
Numbered from the edition of 300
Published by Gendai Hanga Center, Tokyo
With the printer’s and publisher’s blind stamps
With the Andy Warhol copyright rubber stamp verso
#3. Kiku (F&S II.309), 1987
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000
GBP 17,920 / USD 23,480
Screenprint in colors on BFK Rives wove paper
Signed and numbered 27/300 in pencil (there were also 30 artist’s proofs)
#4. Kiku (F&S II.309), 1987
Christie’s New-York: 16 April 2025
Estimated: USD 10,000 – 15,000
USD 16,380
ANDY WARHOL (1928-1987)
Kiku: one print (Feldman and Schellmann II.309), 1983
Screenprint in colors on Rives BFK paper
Signed in pencil, numbered ‘H.C. 3⁄17’
An hors–commerce impression
(the edition was 300 plus 30 artist’s proofs)
#5. Kiku (F&S II.307), 1987
SBI Art Auction: 12 July 2025
Estimated: JPY 1,000,000 – 1,500,000
JPY 2,127,500 / USD 14,435
ANDY WARHOL
Kiku (F. & S. Ⅱ.307), 1983
Screenprint
Signed and numbered on the lower left, Copyright stamp on the reverse
From the edition of 300
2024 Auction Results
Kiku, 1983
SBI Art Auction: 26 October 2024
Estimated: JPY 8,000,000 – 12,000,000
JPY 12,075,000 / USD 79,279
COMPLETE SET
ANDY WARHOL
Kiku (F. & S. Ⅱ.307-309), 1983
Screenprint, the complete set of 3 works
[1-2] Signed and numbered on the lower left, Copyright stamp on the reverse
[3] Signed and numbered on the lower part, Copyright stamp on the reverse
From the edition of 300
XXXXXXXXXX
#1. Kiku (F&S II.309), 1987
Sotheby’s online: 20 March 2024
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 31,750 / USD 40,323
ANDY WARHOL (1928 – 1987)
Kiku, 1983
Screenprint in colors on BFK Rives wove paper
Signed in pencil and numbered 228/300
#2. Kiku (F&S II.309), 1987
Estimated: JPY 1,500,000 – 2,500,000
JPY 4,370,000 / USD 29,460
KIKU (F & S.II.309), 1983
Screenprint
Signed at lower right image
Editioned from 300 at lower left image
#3. Kiku (F&S II.308), 1987
Bonhams LA: 26 March 2024
Estimated: USD 15,000 – 20,000
USD 28,160
Screenprint in colors on Rives BFK paper
Signed in pencil and numbered 155/300 (there were also 30 artist’s proofs)
#4. Kiku (F&S II.309), 1987
Estimated: USD 10,000 – 15,000
USD 28,160
Screenprint in colors on Rives BFK paper
Signed in pencil and numbered 155/300 (there were also 30 artist’s proofs)
#5. Kiku (F&S II.307), 1987
SBI Art Auction: 25 May 2024
Estimated: JPY 2,000,000 – 3,000,000
JPY 3,450,000 / USD 21,982
ANDY WARHOL
Kiku (F&S Ⅱ.307), 1983
Screenprint
Signed and numbered on the lower left, Copyright stamp on the reverse
From the edition of 300
2023 Auction Results
#1. Kiku, 1987
SBI Art Auction: 11 March 2023
Estimated: JPY 8,000,000 – 12,000,000
JPY 16,675,000 / USD 123,460
COMPLETE SET
Andy WARHOL
Kiku (F. & S. Ⅱ.307-309), 1983
Screenprint, the complete set of 3 works
Signed and numbered on the lower left
Copyright stamp on the reverse
From the edition of 300
#2. Kiku, 1987
Bonhams Los Angeles: 4 October 2023
Estimated: USD 80,000 – 120,000
USD 89,400
COMPLETE SET
ANDY WARHOL (1928-1987)
Kiku (Feldman & Schellmann II.307-309), 1983
The complete set, comprising three screenprints in colors on Rives BFK paper
Each signed in pencil and numbered 194/300
#3. Kiku, 1987
Sotheby’s New-York: 15 March 2023
Estimated: USD 60,000 – 80,000
USD 88,900
COMPLETE SET
ANDY WARHOL (1928 – 1987)
Kiku, 1983
The complete set of three screen-prints in colors on Rives BFK wove paper
Each signed in pencil Andy Warhol; numbered 104/300 (lower left)
XXXXXXXXXX
#1. Kiku (F&S II.307), 1987
Sotheby’s London: 17 August 2023
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 40,640 / USD 51,725
ANDY WARHOL (1928 – 1987)
Kiku, 1983
Screen-print in colors on BFK Rives wove paper
Signed in pencil, inscribed and numbered A.P. 1/30
One of thirty artist’s proofs aside from the numbered edition of 300
#2. Kiku (F&S II.307), 1987
Roseberys London: 5 September 2023
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 31,200 / USD 39,210
ANDY WARHOL (American 1928-1987)
Kiku (F and S. II.307), 1983
Screenprint in colors on Rives BFK wove
Signed in pencil and numbered 45/300
With the Andy Warhol 1983 stamp on the reverse
#3. Kiku (F&S II.307), 1987
Sotheby’s New-York: 19 April 2023
Estimated: USD 30,000 – 50,000
USD 38,100
ANDY WARHOL (1928 – 1987)
Kiku, 1983
Screen-print in colors on japon nacré
With the Estate of Andy Warhol and Andy Warhol Foundation ink stamps on the verso
Inscribed 120A UT.004 in pencil
An unsigned trial proof aside from the numbered edition of 300 plus 30 artist’s proofs
Kiku (F&S II.307)
SBI Art Auction: 12 July 2025
Estimated: JPY 1,000,000 – 1,500,000
JPY 2,127,500 / USD 14,435
ANDY WARHOL
Kiku (F. & S. Ⅱ.307), 1983
Screenprint
Signed and numbered on the lower left, Copyright stamp on the reverse
From the edition of 300
Christie’s New-York: 16 April 2025
Estimated: USD 15,000 – 20,000
USD 37,800
ANDY WARHOL (1928-1987)
Kiku: one print (Feldman and Schellmann II.307), 1983
Screenprint in colors on Rives BFK paper
Signed in pencil, numbered 73⁄300
SBI Art Auction: 25 May 2024
Estimated: JPY 2,000,000 – 3,000,000
JPY 3,450,000 / USD 21,982
ANDY WARHOL
Kiku (F&S Ⅱ.307), 1983
Screenprint
Signed and numbered on the lower left, Copyright stamp on the reverse
From the edition of 300
Roseberys London: 5 September 2023
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 31,200 / USD 39,210
ANDY WARHOL (American 1928-1987)
Kiku (F and S. II.307), 1983
Screenprint in colors on Rives BFK wove
Signed in pencil and numbered 45/300
With the Andy Warhol 1983 stamp on the reverse
Sotheby’s London: 17 August 2023
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 40,640 / USD 51,725
ANDY WARHOL (1928 – 1987)
Kiku, 1983
Screen-print in colors on BFK Rives wove paper
Signed in pencil, inscribed and numbered A.P. 1/30
One of thirty artist’s proofs aside from the numbered edition of 300
Sotheby’s New-York: 19 April 2023
Estimated: USD 30,000 – 50,000
USD 38,100
ANDY WARHOL (1928 – 1987)
Kiku, 1983
Screen-print in colors on japon nacré
With the Estate of Andy Warhol and Andy Warhol Foundation ink stamps on the verso
Inscribed 120A UT.004 in pencil
An unsigned trial proof aside from the numbered edition of 300 plus 30 artist’s proofs
Kiku (F&S II.308)
Estimated: USD 15,000 – 20,000
USD 28,160
Screenprint in colors on Rives BFK paper
Signed in pencil and numbered 155/300 (there were also 30 artist’s proofs)
Estimated: JPY 1,500,000 – 2,000,000
JPY 3,100,000 (Hammer)
JPY 4,030,000 / USD 29,515
KIKU PLATE 2 (FELDMAN & SCHELLMANN II.308), 1983
Screenprint
Signed and editioned from 300
With a copyright stamp on verso
Kiku (F&S II.309)
Forum Auctions: 10 December 2025
Estimated: GBP 18,000 – 22,000
GBP 17,000 (Hammer)
GBP 22,364 / USD 29,900
ANDY WARHOL (1928-1987)
Kiku (Feldmann & Schellmann II.309), 1983
Screenprint in colors on BFK Rives paper
Signed in pencil
Numbered from the edition of 300
Published by Gendai Hanga Center, Tokyo
With the printer’s and publisher’s blind stamps
With the Andy Warhol copyright rubber stamp verso
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000
GBP 17,920 / USD 23,480
Screenprint in colors on BFK Rives wove paper
Signed and numbered 27/300 in pencil (there were also 30 artist’s proofs)
Christie’s New-York: 16 April 2025
Estimated: USD 10,000 – 15,000
USD 16,380
ANDY WARHOL (1928-1987)
Kiku: one print (Feldman and Schellmann II.309), 1983
Screenprint in colors on Rives BFK paper
Signed in pencil, numbered ‘H.C. 3⁄17’
An hors–commerce impression, the edition was 300 plus 30 artist’s proofs
Estimated: USD 10,000 – 15,000
USD 28,160
Screenprint in colors on Rives BFK paper
Signed in pencil and numbered 155/300 (there were also 30 artist’s proofs)
Sotheby’s online: 20 March 2024
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 31,750 / USD 40,323
ANDY WARHOL (1928 – 1987)
Kiku, 1983
Screenprint in colors on BFK Rives wove paper
Signed in pencil and numbered 228/300
Estimated: JPY 1,500,000 – 2,500,000
JPY 4,370,000 / USD 29,460
KIKU (F & S.II.309), 1983
Screenprint
Signed at lower right image
Editioned from 300 at lower left image
Bonhams New-York: 1 November 2022
Estimated: USD 30,000 – 40,000
USD 63,375
Screen-print in colors on Rives BFK wove paper
Signed in pencil and numbered AP 1/30
An artist’s proof, aside from the edition of 300
Estimated: USD 10,000 – 15,000
USD 17,500
Screen-print in colors on BFK Rives BFK paper
Signed in pencil and numbered HC 8/17 along lower edge
An Hors Commerce aside from the edition of 300
Complete Sets
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GPB 83,850 / USD 112,780
COMPLETE SET
Kiku (F. & S. 307-309), 1983
The complete set of three screenprints in colours on BFK Rives paper
All signed and numbered 134/300 in pencil
(there were also 30 artist’s proofs)
Published by Gendai Hanga Center, Tokyo, Japan (with their blindstamp)
Estimated: USD 70,000 – 90,000
USD 70,950
COMPLETE SET
(there were also 30 artist’s proofs)
Published by Gendai Hanga Center, Tokyo, Japan
(with their blindstamp)
LA Modern: 3 September 2025
Estimated: USD 40,000 – 60,000
USD 69,850
COMPLETE SET
Signed and numbered to lower edge of each work ‘95/300 Andy Warhol’ with blindstamps
Artist’s stamp to verso of each work
Rago: 5 June 2025
Estimated: USD 60,000 – 80,000
USD 57,150
COMPLETE SET
ANDY WARHOL (1928–1987)
Kiku (three works) (Feldman/Schellmann II.307-309), 1983
Screenprint in colors on BFK Rives
Signed and numbered to lower edge of each work ‘210/300 Andy Warhol’ with blindstamps
SBI Art Auction: 26 October 2024
Estimated: JPY 8,000,000 – 12,000,000
JPY 12,075,000 / USD 79,279
COMPLETE SET
ANDY WARHOL
Kiku (F. & S. Ⅱ.307-309), 1983
Screenprint, the complete set of 3 works
[1-2] Signed and numbered on the lower left, Copyright stamp on the reverse
[3] Signed and numbered on the lower part, Copyright stamp on the reverse
From the edition of 300
Bonhams Los Angeles: 4 October 2023
Estimated: USD 80,000 – 120,000
USD 89,400
COMPLETE SET
ANDY WARHOL (1928-1987)
Kiku (Feldman & Schellmann II.307-309), 1983
The complete set, comprising three screenprints in colors on Rives BFK paper
Each signed in pencil and numbered 194/300
Sotheby’s New-York: 15 March 2023
Estimated: USD 60,000 – 80,000
USD 88,900
COMPLETE SET
ANDY WARHOL (1928 – 1987)
Kiku, 1983
The complete set of three screen-prints in colors on Rives BFK wove paper
Each signed in pencil Andy Warhol; numbered 104/300 (lower left)
SBI Art Auction: 11 March 2023
Estimated: JPY 8,000,000 – 12,000,000
JPY 16,675,000 / USD 123,460
COMPLETE SET
Andy WARHOL
Kiku (F. & S. Ⅱ.307-309), 1983
Screenprint, the complete set of 3 works
Signed and numbered on the lower left
Copyright stamp on the reverse
From the edition of 300
Sotheby’s New-York: 27 October 2022
Estimated: USD 80,000 – 120,000
USD 163,800
COMPLETE SET
AUCTION RECORD FOR A COMPLETE SET OF KIKU
ANDY WARHOL (1928 – 1987)
Kiku, 1983
The complete set of three screen-prints in colors on Rives BFK paper
Each signed in pencil and numbered 127/300
Menzies Sydney: 31 March 2021
Estimated: AUD 45,000 – 55,000
AUD 70,000 (Hammer)
AUD 92,045 / USD 70,075
ANDY WARHOL (1928-1987, American)
Kiku, 1983
Complete set of color screenprints (3)
Each numbered 192/300 and signed below image
Bonhams LA: 24 March 2021
Estimated: USD 40,000 – 60,000
USD 97,812
COMPLETE SET
The complete set of three screenprints in colors on Rives BFK paper
Each signed in pencil and numbered 142/300 (there were also 30 artist’s proofs)
Unique Variations
Bonhams New-York: 22 May 2022
Estimated: USD 40,000 – 50,000
USD 50,775
Screen-print in colors on Japanese paper, a unique proof
With ‘The Estate of Andy Warhol’ and ‘Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts’ inkstamps and the initials in pencil ‘TJH’ on verso
Phillips London: 20 January 2022
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 18,900
ANDY WARHOL
Kiku (F. & S. 307-309), 1983
Unique screen-print in colors with paper collage mounted to card support
Sheet: 66.8 x 90.7 cm (26 1/4 x 35 3/4 inches)
With the Estate of Andy Warhol and the Visual Arts Foundation inkstamps
With the number ‘37.042’ and the initials ‘VF’ in pencil on the reverse
Phillips London: 20 January 2022
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 27,720
ANDY WARHOL
Kiku (F. & S. 307-309), 1983
Unique screen-print in colors with paper collage mounted to card support
Sheet: 69.5 x 89.6 cm (27 3/8 x 35 1/4 inches)
With the Estate of Andy Warhol and the Visual Arts Foundation inkstamps
With the number ‘37.023’ and the initials ‘VF’ in pencil on the reverse