Newly acquired small menuki

[jct3602]

Looks like a fairly well done copy of goto work.  Appears to be thin gold, with pitch? on underside not yet cleaned, although some bright spots show through (at least to Michael Bell and I).  Weight for pair at present 3.753 grams.  Dimensions 2.76x1.46x.47 cm each.  Any thoughts as to origin/maker and/or school would be appreciated.  Part of a ko-wakizashi or O-tanto koshirae; fuchi/kashira is at least one level better than the menuki; habaki, kurikata, and saya lacquer comparable.  Tsuka wrap new but poorly done and not an appropriate quality or color of silk.  Same ok; small nodules, multiple pieces, but an impressive emperor node.   Tsuba appears to be far older than the rest of the koshirae; iron tanto syle tsuba with nunome zogan gold inlay, even on outside of rim, very worn.   I have no idea what the symbols? in gold are.  Will present rest of the koshirae as I take decent photos and do careful disassembly; the menuki came out quickly because the wrap had to go.  Kashira is separated, but the habaki, tsuba, fuchi, and saya are still all tightly stuck together.

 

Thank you, 

John Twineham

[PhoenixDude]

looks like mercuric gilt copper to me.

[Franco]

Unfortunately, these appear to be lower level production work. Which makes it very difficult to determine who made these unless someone has prior experience seeing similar work.

 

Regards 

[Spartancrest]

They look like they are based on this design

https://www.touken-m...uct/shousai/MEN-2546

   but the reverse is not what you would expect.

 

 

 

https://www.ebay.ph/itm/256530038696

 

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/255378773008

[Spartancrest]

Something for formal attire - https://www.ebay.com/itm/305038903971  The description says Chinese but I think they are modified menuki and therefore Japanese.

   Do people still wear cufflinks?