Attribution For Menuki

[Frank B]

Hello, I have studied a pair of Hebi menuki for a few months now. However, I am at an roadblock. I have tried to do research but nothing substantial has come up yet. They have a hakogaki from Dr. Sato Kanzan, but it only mentions when he wrote it, material and school. My thoughts are they are edo in age, a respected member of the NMB(whom I will not name unless given permission) told me it reminds him of the work form Iwamoto Konkwan. I'd love to hear any thoughts. 

[Vermithrax16]

Can't help with any useful info, but these are very cool.

[Frank B]

Another photo

[Nikanoru]

I would suggest bakumatsu/meiji, around Mito area. Criteria: condition, snake design and 'root' shape and how it's attached (no chikaragane).

 

Tokuho Iwamoto Konkan's snakes

 

and these are hozon Mito

 

Snakes are snakes, after all, they all look alike

[Frank B]

Thank you, for the information!

[Frank B]

here is the hakogaki. 

[Frank B]

In terms of shinsa, can mumei fittings get T-Hozon? I feel that the quality of the snakes give it merit regardless of mei. 

[Nikanoru]

Of course they can, items can be attributed to a certain artist, his style. But it’s just a paper, opinion. I wouldn’t bother.

[Frank B]

I understand, I agree with both you an Dr. Sato about Mito school. The "crispness" of the work is just different between ours, I cannot put a finger on it. 

[kyushukairu]

These were offer for sale by a dealer in France who claimed they were made during Showa. The original listing is still on his webpage: http://nihontofrance.com/tosogu-2/snakes-menuki/?lang=en

[Frank B]

Yes, however I and others think the Showa reference is when Dr. Sato wrote the hakogaki, not the menuki age. 

[TETSUGENDO]

Shinsa is just an opinion, but a valued one.  The "Paper" is the differance between sale/no sale, small value/greater value, for many.  If you need a "Valued opinion", Shinsa is the answer.  Like it or not, currently,  this is where we find ourselves.

 

-StevenK

[Frank B]

I agree, I will likely try Chicago this year.

[TETSUGENDO]

Hopefully, all your questions will be answered.  Best of luck.  Great snakes!

 

 

-StevenK

[Frank B]

Thank you! I agree they are definitely "better" than the average menuki.  

[TheGermanBastard]

Hello Frank,

 

those Menuki are lovely! I do admire them and I think the work is very nice. I have several snake Tsuba and the theme is often found at later times. I can only offer a very unqualified oppinion but would think that they could date roughly around 1850 - 1900. Case you submitt them for Shinsa please kindly let us know the result.

 

Agan I am not really qualified to comment on Menuki but I can not remember havig seen TBH level Menukis in a long time. I do not hnk it is beause Menuki wouldn't ofen make it but beause it isn't worth the money. You will have to pay around what? 500 bucks? (inckluding handlng, postage) to get that ... this will raise the bill on the menuki but the overall demand may not reflect that investment. Usually Menuki move pretty slow at higher prices unless somebody really wnats something badly.

 

I love yours and think they are well worth what they had been offered for on the board.

[Frank B]

Thank you for the kind thoughts Luis, your input is always appreciated. 

[TheGermanBastard]

Hello Frank,

 

I think those are very nice Menuki and highly collectable. Case you don't have a full translation of the inscription on the box yet, you may wish to spend a couple of bucks on Markus Sesko for his service. Markus is alwas recommended.

 

Best regards

[MauroP]

Frank, you already have most of the hakogaki translated:

On the outside of the lid it's reported 巳目貫 - omi menuki.
Bye, Mauro

[Frank B]

Thank you Mauro! Much appreciated