Chinese Zodiac Kozuka with Goat - Gold and Nanako

[Winchester]

Recently picked this up and thought it was cool. I believe this is a goat; solid gold; very fine lines/engraving that are hard to capture in the photo.

 

Thoughts on meaning or interpretation? I am guessing it has to do with the Chinese Zodiac?

 

Thanks in advance

[Winchester]

I should add that i tested it with a magnet and it was not magnetic; have not performed a gold test, but feel confident. Will check when I have the time. Thank you for allowing me to share and any thoughts/feedback you may have.

[Franco]

2 hours ago, Winchester said:

Thoughts on meaning or interpretation? I am guessing it has to do with the Chinese Zodiac?

 

Quote

Ranking the eighth position of all the animals in Chinese zodiac, Sheep (also Goat or Ram) represents solidarity, harmony and calmness. People born in the year of the Sheep are polite, mild mannered, shy, imaginative, determined and have good taste.

 

Solid gold? 

Doubtful to my eyes. 

 

Regards,

[Winchester]

Thank you, Franco. Regarding it being solid, I am just referring to the goat.

 

I'll test it this weekend if I have a chance.

[Franco]

Welcome. 

 

7 hours ago, Winchester said:

Regarding it being solid, I am just referring to the goat.

 

 Me too. Look forward to reading the result.

 

Regards,

[Winchester]

Not really sure how to run an acid test on this without marking it up good. Hmmmm... Doesn't really matter to me, but I would like to be accurate. 

 

 

[Matsunoki]

Brian, don’t try to test it. Afterwards you’ll wish you hadn’t I promise you.  Looking at the kozuka id suggest it is of a modest quality and thus unlikely to have a solid gold goat. The Japanese craftsmen had amazing techniques to give the illusion of solid gold but most often, it isn’t sadly. In your image, around the outer edges of the animal it looks as if a silver base colour is showing through……or maybe that’s just a trick of light?

[SteveM]

The piece isn't signed, I guess?

And, is it possible to get a better shot of the head of the figure?

[Franco]

17 hours ago, Winchester said:

Not really sure how to run an acid test on this without marking it up good. Hmmmm... Doesn't really matter to me, but I would like to be accurate. 

 

Hmmmm is exactly right, please no acid test. A jeweler should be able to check it for gold content. 

 

Regards,