NBTHK Papered Nagasaki Cloisonne Kozuka with gold wire inlay depicting scattered snowflakes w moon on obverse

[PhoenixDude]

A very rare cloisonné kozuka depicting scattered snowflakes and a hazy moon on the obverse. Shipo or cloisonné fittings are somewhat out of the norm and would be a fine addition to any collection.  This one is in excellent condition considering how fragile these fitting are.  They are basically glass on soft metal. The motif is executed masterfully using gold wire to outline very fine details, with the whole body being constructed of a base of silver with a shakudo onlay on the back.   1634 is the earliest time that pieces of cloisonne have been credited to the Edo Era. Before that time, many pieces were made, but the makers names are unknown, as was customary in those ancient times. The Shosoin treasury in Nara, has a mirror that is dated around 750 AD. There is little doubt that the art of shippo, was known, and used, in Japan in the 8th century.   Accompanied with NBTHK Hozon papers.   SOLD

[ChrisW]

This is a lovely piece! I have a couple cloissone tsuba, but the colors on this are fantastic!

[PhoenixDude]

its a level of craftmanship that is way above what you normally see in cloisonne works.

[Fuuten]

Stunning item at a price to rob a diner for. Absolutely lovely item and if i were better off I'd grab it in an instant.

 

Out of interest, do you have a translation for the paper? Is there any indication of when it was made?

[kyushukairu]

1 hour ago, Fuuten said:

Out of interest, do you have a translation for the paper? Is there any indication of when it was made?

 
The attribution is ‘Nagasaki shippō’ (長崎七宝). No date is given.

[PhoenixDude]

I would put it very late edo imho. 

[Fuuten]

Thank you Kyle,

 

Jay, I only asked out of interest. Regardless of age it's honestly one of the better pieces I have ever seen especially the purple (bordering on magenta), inlay is exceptionally beautiful to me, that and the snowflake design is one of my favorite themes.

[PhoenixDude]

SOLD