Can someone ID what this is? use?

[John A Stuart]

Hi All, I collect some Japanese silver and bid on this even though the craftmanship is inferior. The price I think is over what it is worth in my mind and have dropped out. It has a stamp that reads 'ashigin' which is 'silver stick' I think. That is how it is described as well by ole po. What is it? John

 

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... :IT&ih=016

[Nobody]

It is a paperweight (文鎮; Bunchin) usually used for calligraphy.

 

ex. http://page4.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/d69334215

[John A Stuart]

Hi Koichi san, A paperweight!! That is funny, I had mentioned to my son that would be all it is good for. I would buy one that showed very good craftmanship. Thanks for that. John

[Mike]

These paper weights usually come in pairs since they are used to hold both sides of a scroll. Mike

[Nobody]

I found that 足銀 (ashigin?......unsure about its reading) is an old Chinese word. It means pure silver with more than 95 % fineness. But I think the item may be a replica of Chinese antique.

[John A Stuart]

Thankyou again. John