Can anyone help me with these Shibuichi (I think!) plaques?

[Laura]

I'm assuming these four plaques are Shibuichi work,Meiji period. Can anyone tell me what they might have been used for and how to clean them if that's advisable....two of them are in better condition than others.

They measure just over 2cm. Do the images have any particular significance? They are a recent purchase and didn't cost much.

Thank you in anticipation! Grateful for any advice.

[ROKUJURO]

Hi Laura,

welcome to the NMB forum.

These plaques are looking like decorative items, MEIJI era or later, maybe for the tourist trade. They seem to be press-molded, the casing is probably made from a different alloy, perhaps nickel silver. I do not see typical SHIBUICHI colour, instead it might be SHAKUDO or blackened copper.

The exact purpose will be difficult to guess; I have no clue. 

Cleaning should be done with great care! A soft brush or a moist cosmetic cotton pad should work in case there was really dirt on them. Any abrasive material (or rubbing) will damage the patina beyond repair. True SHAKUDO will somewhat "heal" its patina after a while, but not blackened copper.

[Laura]

Thank you for the welcome Jean, and for your reply. I agree they were probably tourist items and I think were most likely meant to be converted to cuff buttons or links, and yes, maybe early 20thc. They are quite dirty, so I'll try the soft brush treatment.

I have several lovely old Shakudo pieces which I treasure. I collect antique buttons (allowed by the NBS as buttons) and they are amongst my collection. These little plaques are different in style and finish, hence the reason for my question. Thank you for helping! I really appreciate it.

Regards

Laura

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

They may be (originally) a series of mini mirrors to carry in a purse or wallet.

[Charlie C]

Probably 鏡蓋, a part of 根付. See this searching 

https://www.google.com/search?q=鏡蓋+根付&sca_esv=d499cf97fcbe8b52&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS677US677&udm=2&biw=1512&bih=827&sxsrf=AE3TifOnDG4Y9NZjGGlopdkdF0mDvSYd8g%3A1765727590764&ei=Zt0-aaGzLqbgp84P7fqQ8A4&ved=0ahUKEwih_sTut72RAxUm8MkDHW09BO4Q4dUDCBI&uact=5&oq=鏡蓋+根付&gs_lp=Egtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZyIN6Y-h6JOLIOagueS7mEiYIlDzA1jZHnABeACQAQCYAWGgAaUJqgECMTW4AQPIAQD4AQGYAgWgAqQDwgIHECMYJxjJAsICBBAAGB7CAgUQABiABJgDAIgGAZIHAzQuMaAHvg-yBwM0LjG4B6QDwgcFMC4zLjLIBw2ACAA&sclient=gws-wiz-img

[ROKUJURO]

On 12/7/2025 at 4:36 PM, Laura said:

......I collect antique buttons (allowed by the NBS as buttons)....

NBS: Is that the famous Norwegian Button Society?

[Laura]

7 minutes ago, ROKUJURO said:

NBS: Is that the famous Norwegian Button Society?

 

[Laura]

Love it, but no!

National Button Society (USA)

[Matsunoki]

2 hours ago, Charlie C said:

Probably

Hmmmm, probably not the faceplate from kagamibuta netsuke. The quality is nowhere near good enough. I have seen similar to these ones used as links in lower quality tourist type bracelets set in white metal surrounds or simply linked with small chain links. Also set in mounts as a brooch. No offence intended Laura or Charlie….but they are pretty rough🙂

 

[Charlie C]

3 hours ago, Matsunoki said:

The quality is nowhere near good enough. I have seen similar to these ones used as links in lower quality tourist type 

 

My guess too, probably tourist type 鏡蓋 to be paired with tourist type 根付.

[Laura]

Thanks for your thoughts and absolutely no offence taken!

Laura

[Matsunoki]

Saw these thought of you 🙂
Stumbled across these which suggests buttons/studs.

They are nothing to do with any netsuke.

 

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Saw some sets of those buttons at an antiques fair the other day. Not cheap!

[Matsunoki]

47 minutes ago, Bugyotsuji said:

Not cheap!

They are made in two different ways…..

1. “Proper shakudo plate with proper mixed metal zogan 

or

2. shiremono pressings with just multi-patination onto a plain thin copper sheet  ie as per many kozuka

 

1. are usually fine work and if recognised….expensive

2. Usually fool innocent eyes and are thus horribly overpriced and result in buyers remorse

…..but sometimes you get lucky🙂