Dolphy Collection Auction Is Up

[Hoshi]

Here it is

 

Christies doesn't mention if papers accompany the blades. I would surmise that most aren't papered. 

 

I have to say I'm somewhat disappointed, but then I just had a quick glance and further study is needed to see if there are any hidden gems in the pond, which I doubt. Some easily recognizable gimei... 

[Vermithrax16]

Quick peek, but I don't think the Korekazu or the Naotane mei are good.

[BIG]

RIP Mr. Dolphyn .. he did a lot for his sword community

 

Best Regards

[paulb]

Chris

I admit to being a little confused regarding Christies and papers. At one time they didnt mention any papers. I was told that they were selling based on their own description and aqttributions rahter than relying on anyone else. I am not sure whether this was true or not. They then started stating if blades had Juyo papers. In my last conversation with Victor Harris ( some 9 years ago) while he was working with them he said they recognised NBTHK papers but didnt refer to anything else.

I am not sure of the current situation but the fact papers arent mentioned doesnt necessarily mean they arent there. It might be worth asking them.

[Hoshi]

I wouldn't be surprised if this intentionally part of a selling strategy. Christie has a lot of experience selling art where authenticity may be unclear...

[Gakusee]

There seem to be some good starter blades, tsuba and yoroi for people who do not want to spend tonnes of money. In fact, I was surprised by some of the low guidance.

 

Viewing in their Mayfair/London site of a selection of the items will be possible on 2/3/4/5 December or something like that per a lady in Customer Services.

[Jussi Ekholm]

I got focused on 2 items as I don't know anything about armor or koshirae, or new stuff.

 

Miike Lot 24 - This is the most interesting one as they write it is attributed to Miike, I am assuming this has NBTHK papers? Miike is very desirable attribution and only good blades will get it.

 

Yasumitsu Lot 51 - I am not feeling very comfortable about the signature. Given the asking price I am fairly certain this is paperless Yasumitsu. If it has NBTHK papers verifying the signature it is dirt cheap.

[Alex A]

A chance to own a large Ko-Katchushi, pity its not sold separate.

[Hoshi]

Agreed Jussi, lot 24 and that's it... 

[b.hennick]

I thought that the hi was narrow for Miike work.

[TheGermanBastard]

Now that the auction has passed I check the results and most things went at no bargain price. This  is a double edged bladed. While I would have hoped for the buyer to strike bargain it is also nice to see that prices are not decreasing.

 

I had asked about the Miike school sword and got a reply that my request was forwarded to the corespoding department and that's been the end of the inqiuiry. I wonder if the blade had any papers?

 

Also may anybody shed some light on me please why the following Tanto sold rather high?

 

https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/arts-samurai-dolphyn-collection/aikuchi-shinshinto-tanto-35/51117

 

Nice Koshirae but the blade did not thrill me.

[paulb]

there is nothing  in the description or in the image that can explain why it went so much higher than estimate.

I have seen a number of tanto go well over estimate at Christies for no obvious reason. Most notably some years back one estimated at £1500 sold for about 23K. The only thing they all had in common is they had what I would cruelly describe as bling koshirae which seems to appeal to certain parts of the market.

The other obvious reason is that 2 bidders with more money than understanding both decided they wanted it.

[Gakusee]

How many of the members here actually viewed the items in person? I am quite curious as to personal views and opinions on some of them.,,,,

 

In one of my lunch breaks I did nip quickly to the storeroom (only place I could view some items since everything had been removed for the Asian Art sale preceding this one) and took a look at 5-6 of the items. I personally was underwhelmed. More specifically I looked at the ones attributed to Naoe Shizu, Yasumitsu and another (the Soshu Tsunahiro was not available at the time). If we leave aside the state of polish and preservation (all of them needed polish), I was not too convinced by any of the three. Perhaps in better polish my unknoleageble eye could have discerned more.... The one which held most promise seemed the Yasumitsu as it had a little bit of the trade mark Oei koshi no hiraita midare ....however, the reference textbooks I have did not convincingly substantiate the couple of Mei I looked at.

 

I also took a look at the armour and I am flabbergasted that the one on the catalogue cover went for £40k!! Was the item viewed in person? Did they check the state of the lacquer, how it had been restored, etc... I might be out of touch with market prices in yoroi but I have seen materially superior armour trade for lower prices.

 

There were some flashy koshirae with little more than iron tsunagi in there (either very rusty blades with little promise or worse). Some of those went for decent prices.

[TheGermanBastard]

Tahnk you for your thoughts.

 

I am in no position to give a creditable oppinion on armor but think they went hogh considering what is freely available on the market. In general the armor prices seem to be considerablely low at the moment.

 

 

The Miike blade looked nice to me.

 

The only blade from the Dolphyn collection that I was seriously bididng on but too timid was the Tadayoshi. I think it was a good deal whoever bought it.

 

Overall I think there were some pristine sets of Koshirae.

 

Regards

[Gakusee]

I do not think yoroi prices are particularly low at the moment. If anything, this auction has testified that relatively average pieces command high prices. I am comparing the Dolphyn items to various Bonhams, Christie’s and other auctions I have been to as well as pieces sold by G Piva and others.

[Hoshi]

Mindblown. Again we see the 'gambler's premium' being paid for those items. The 11k mumei shinshinto tanto is beyond comprehension. Someone must have had it in hand and thought there was a chance for it to be koto. Then a few others had the same idea and fought over the privilege to send it off to the shinsa gamble. 

[TheGermanBastard]

I don't want to hijack the topic but thought Armor prices not to be that high on some occasions:

 

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/armure-de-samourai-de-type-tosei-gusoku-japon-x-54-c-85b4d0781a

=> Unsold

 

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/a-Japanese-sixty-two-plate-kabuto-the-sixty-two-232-c-1ae4485b7b

=> Cheap considering it is a 62 plates piece

 

However please correct me as I am a nob on armor and eager to learn.

 

The prices achieved in the Dolphin auction looked high too me.

[Gakusee]

Agree that the Dolphyn armour prices were high and that is exactly the point my two posts above are making.

In general older armour and not particularly composite in good state should command higher prices. I am seeing a lot of newer (18-19 century) composites.....

[myochin]

Michael,

 

I see that you mention "catalogue cover", was there a Catalogue available for this on-line sale ?

 

Thanks

Paul

[TheGermanBastard]

Hello Michael,

 

sorry if my question is dumb. Can you please explain more what is meant by composite armor (in oppsoite to?)

 

Thank you

[Jean]

Different parts from different armours assembled to form an armour

[Gakusee]

Sorry guys, what I meant was the armour which was on the “virtual cover” of the catalogue - i.e. the beginning page of the auction page. I should have asked in person when I went to Christie’s whether they had a paper catalogue but forgot to do so.

[TheGermanBastard]

Hello Jean,

 

thank you. I see. This is what I had anticipated ... but I was unsure if it was refering to a certain type of armor construction instead

 

Are later armors in general less thought after? I nly have one rather late Edo periode Sendai Armor in my collection that has been an excellent dust catcher ...

[Jean]

I think you mean « sought » after, Luis?

[TheGermanBastard]

Yes

 

But literally speaking the later one would be the consequenze

 

Back to the auction: Did the Lot with the Kinko Tsuba not get sold? I thought the Tsuba tio be fairly priced.