Matsunoki

Post images of the whole blade and separately the mounts. Also separate images of the whole nakago, both sides

Once something appears on the open market via the net it will get seen and it is the market that will decide what it’s worth. Very few pieces “fly under the radar”….instead it is a reflection of what is desirable in the prevailing market. For many many years fine quality kinko tsuba have been drastically underrated from a technical manufacturing (and sometimes artistic) perspective but now the “penny has dropped” and they are being seen as an investment opportunity. A good example of how the best of any commodity commands a premium. Add in the quirky and unusual subject matters and there seems to be no glass ceiling. Iron tsuba have a different market more influenced by papers maybe?? Not my subject so I don’t know. The buyers of fine mixed metal pieces don’t give a stuff about papers (rightly so imo)

Far too painful Piers. In any event I deleted all my netsuke images. That silver netsuke is beautiful. Don’t often find metal netsuke with lacquer pieces for the obvious reason….damage to the lacquer….but that looks like a proper match-up. Haven’t seen a ShiShi done like the one on the inro. It took me a minute to work it out. Unusual.

The mounts are very poor “basic” quality. It looks good from far but it’s far from good. However a good showy display item.

Jon, that sword is in an auction in the UK. How are you going to get it to the the USA? Have you asked the auctioneer whether they can ship it? Shipping swords in the UK is a nightmare.

I wish I could Piers but mine all scampered off. Tigers, rats, South-sea Islanders, ONI (often pursued by Shoki) and the Toads all hopped away. ☹️ They left to keep all the ivory ones company - as demanded by the buyer☹️☹️ Many vacancies exist🙂

Great subject but utterly crazy price. The super rich…..🤪

Again many charming and unusual subjects Piers.

Thanks Piers. Little lasting remnants of times gone by. Quite evocative. We had vinaigrettes and snuff boxes etc!

That’s a shame Piers because I haven’t got a clue what they are! Love the teppo.

🙂

Never seen any miniature inro before. You found all those in Japan Piers? Never crossed paths with Sydney Moss &Co…..bit strange looking back, they had a reputation for being a bit “exclusive” I think so I never ventured in!!! Wood has a different appeal to ivory and I think is wonderfully suited to subjects like monkeys and rats and tigers. Antler if used cleverly can yield some really lovely “off the wall” works again with a totally different vibe. To me that’s the magic of netsuke….wide range of materials and subjects….and subtleties. They express, more than anything else, the intangible/undefinable Japanese aesthetic. (Imo🙂) Maybe I should start collecting again?🙂?

Too true…… https://www.bonhams.com/auction/22532/lot/13/shibata-zeshin-1807-1891-inro-medicine-case-with-butterbur-design-meiji-era-1868-1912-circa-1877-2/ https://www.bonhams.com/auction/19548/lot/316/a-fine-single-case-lacquer-inro-by-shibata-zeshin-1807-1891-meiji-period/ https://www.bonhams.com/auction/20189/lot/261/a-silver-lacquer-four-case-inro-by-koma-kansai-after-a-design-by-sakai-hoitsu-19th-century/

Indeed Piers, I can understand your joy! Charming objects with an appeal all of their own and without doubt the rarest of all netsuke types. But, as you say, their rarity is not reflected in the cost of acquisition. That makes a refreshing change within the Japanese Art market. What an excellent niche to search for without fearing for the health of our wallets. Trouble is they seem to be rather elusive…..but at least they haven’t been banned. My auto alarm will go off if I so much as smell one! Happy hunting

Thanks Jean. OK, it’s modern and maybe it took a bit more hammering etc back in the Samurai era but nonetheless, a lot of skill goes into these modern suits and let’s face it if you just want a flashy display item…..perfect.

Well, this has all opened up a whole new angle on netsuke! Can’t quite believe I had missed a whole separate category but no ceramic netsuke had ever crossed my path. An interesting subject and I will enjoy reading the book that Pietro has linked. Thanks Piers, thanks Pietro.

Your painting is Japanese, most likely late Taisho or Showa and squarely aimed at the souvenir market. The scene is a typical idealised tranquil depiction of a village with a Torii and pagoda hidden in the trees. Such artwork was produced in large quantities but due to their fragility, most have fallen to pieces or faded out by now. Yours looks in good shape.

Ford was a magician. His knowledge on restoration, re-patination etc was unequalled. He restored many pieces for me that I would never have entrusted to anyone else nor would I have dreamed of tackling them myself. It isn’t just the “cleaning” you need to undertake, it’s the putting it right when it goes wrong……and it will go wrong. Ford had all of that knowledge. I am aware of just one other person whose workshop is fully capable.

Charlie….simple….don’t clean it. It is so easy to ruin the appearance of just about anything that involves silver or any of the alloys (shibuichi, shakudo etc). Subtle age patina is an important factor that should not be disturbed. Cleaning is also likely to have drastic effects on the financial value (as well as the aesthetic value)

@PNSSHOGUN @Bugyotsuji @Nobody @Bruce Pennington Many thanks, no wonder I get confused with these Gunto Mei! Much appreciated. C.

Firstly I apologise for the fragmented images. The sword is not mine and the images are from a friend who has requested assistance. My translation abilities are lacking especially with these “chippy” gunto kanji….so….please can anyone help me out? Many thanks in advance and again, apologies. All the best. Colin

Ron, that looks horrible. Personally I would walk away whether it’s on the other side or not.

I vote for this as the most entertaining thread for quite a while, even better than the one about cast ts…..🙂

It gets better and better. I haven’t smiled so much for this long in a while. PLEASE do tell us what the NBTHK say….we are holding our breath!

This thread is better than anything on the telly at the moment. Definitely a troll. As far as I know there wasn’t a Japanese Emperor Fujiwara.