Christian paperweight

Spartancrest · December 28, 2020

Japanese made Christian tsuba paperweight https://www.jauce.com/auction/371174105 I think these were made to celebrate the opening of the 26 Martyrs museum in Nagasaki - could be wrong, could someone translate the script on the box? I have one that was presented by Mr. Kitamura, the director of the Osaka Namban Bunkakan Museum in 1975 to an American seminary student. They turn up infrequently, may have been a limited number produced.

Bugyotsuji · December 28, 2020

Outside there is 青銅　seidou, bronze, and 書鎮 Shochin or paperweight

Inside it says 十字鍔　写　信家作　Juji Tsuba, Utsusu, Nobuie Saku

Interesting object!

Spartancrest · December 29, 2020

Thank you so much Piers. Would that second sentence roughly mean "Cross tsuba, copy, in the style of Nobuie" ?

I know Nobuie made a lot of tsuba but in so many styles?

Bugyotsuji · December 29, 2020

Now that is a very good question, Dale. If I were to take a guess, then they had/saw a tsuba in this design, signed Nobuie, which they decided to reproduce for their limited edition. It certainly changes my perception of Nobuie, such a famous name in the worlds of Tsuba and Katchu/Kabuto.

Spartancrest · January 22, 2023

Like many reproductions created for a certain purpose - once that purpose has been separated from the object, the object can take on a life of it's own.

This paperweight was created as a museum souvenir.

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/Namban-Tsuba-with-latin-cross,-Kirishitan-313-c-A5A4039A51

Description

Japan, 17th century, Edo period (1615-1868), tsuba Namban in bronze and iron, pierced with a representation of a Latin Christian cross, signed. Signs of use. Dim.:9.5x9.5cm.

Well the dating is a little off, more accurate date of manufacture would be early to mid 1970s!

Importantly the box and the nakago-ana insert that was designed as a handle for the paperweight have gone missing - so the seller has fallen back on the inscription as being true. Unfortunately the piece is not uncommon and the nakago-ana is not correctly shaped. The price being asked is excessive [opening bid €1,300] when you consider the same item can be purchased for about $54 USD with all the accessories - https://www.jauce.com/auction/371174105 Yes the same piece from the first post in 2020 is still doing it's rounds! And the price has not changed from 2017!

What is a fifty year old paperweight worth?