10 replies to this topic

[O-Midare]

Here is a link to a set of kozuka dinner knives.

https://www.ebay.ca/...redirect=mobile

[PietroParis]

Hi,

 

I presume I am stating the obvious here: the decoration on both sides of the handle means that they were "born like that", i.e. they are not actual kozuka adapted to kitchen knives, but rather "kozuka-like" decorations of regular knives' handles. I saw a set of twelve such knives sell for 562.50 EUR (including fees) at a recent auction in Paris. The ones in your post appear to be more-finely chiseled to my untrained eye (but the picture of the Paris knives is very poor).

 

Cheers, Pietro

 

P.S. I would also wonder why "Meiji period Japanese knifes" are marked "Mappin & Webb" on the blade...

[O-Midare]

Do you think these are over priced?, I was thinking they are kinda neat

[Geraint]

Dear Dwayne.

 

Pietro is quite right and be aware that they are pressings so as part of a collection they are overpriced, removing the blades will not make them suitable even as replacement kozuka in koshirae so the question is do you want some cutlery?

 

If so then I guess the value is up to you.

 

All the best.

[PietroParis]

There appears to be a market for those sets, see e.g. this Bonhams lot, but indeed my understanding is that they should be viewed as fancy cutlery.

 

Cheers, Pietro

[O-Midare]

I understand this, just like the look.

[O-Midare]

Matching fork set is nice.

[Brian]

The price is cheap currently but won't stay there.
I would appreciate these as an example of Japanese metalwork/art, and not sword related. They do stand up just fine on their own.

[PietroParis]

The price is cheap currently but won't stay there.
I would appreciate these as an example of Japanese metalwork/art, and not sword related. They do stand up just fine on their own.

 

The blades in Dwayne's set are marked "Mappin & Webb - Sheffield", and the ones in the Bohnams set are marked "Jules Piault". Does this mean that European jewelers were importing the handles from Japan and fitting them on locally-made blades and forks?

 

Cheers, Pietro

[Brian]

Yep, or supplying the hardware to their agents in Japan for fitting?
Mappin & Webb are famous for their silverware etc. I have some bowls by them. Probably was the "in thing" during the early 1900's to have these as your tableware.

[PietroParis]

Well, if the ultimate destination was the European market importing the handles would have made more sense...