Very thin Gold Menuki with Resin?

[Winchester]

Greetings,

 

Hope all is well wherever this message finds you. 
 

This was an impulse buy and curiosity about six months ago and I’m asking for assistance in further directing me or general thoughts.

 

These menuki are gold, but very, very thin……almost to the extent it is just gold foil and then they have a sap or pine it smells like supporting the shape.

 

note on the one Shishi, it’s foot got twisted but shows just how thin the gold foil is.

 

Question: why is this? Was this indicative of early gold menuki? Photos don’t capture well, but they are somewhat detailed.

 

General thoughts?

 

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration in responding. Brian 

[Rodenbacher]

Hi Brian, it's nearly impossible to answer without seeing the backside of the Menuki, do you have a photo? 

[Winchester]

Hi Peter, Thank you for your note. I am just waking up and will update later today with more information. Thank you 

[Franco]

  On 3/30/2024 at 9:19 AM, Winchester said:

Question: why is this? Was this indicative of early gold menuki?

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Real solid gold menuki were a luxury item. These are basically copies of early solid gold Goto menuki. Which were not made like this (as you describe, very thin). Keep in mind that a thin pair like this under ito wrap would look to most like real solid gold menuki, but without coming at the price of a Rolex.

 

Regards

[Winchester]

Thanks, Franco! That makes a lot of sense. 
 

Appreciate it!

[Tim Evans]

I had a near identical set at one time, very thin solid gold. These were NBTHK papered to Kyo Kinko, Edo period. 

[Winchester]

Thank you, Tim. I appreciate the further context. 

[Curran]

  On 3/30/2024 at 2:30 PM, Franco D said:

 

Real solid gold menuki were a luxury item. These are basically copies of early solid gold Goto menuki. Which were not made like this (as you describe, very thin). Keep in mind that a thin pair like this under ito wrap would look to most like real solid gold menuki, but without coming at the price of a Rolex.

 

Regards

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Nice explanation. -Pretty darn good copies, when under a wrap.

Yes, seeing the backs will help.

 

Good enough copies to get some of the things like the tri-marks at the armpits correct. Tri-clovers and spots on the body too.

The ridge on the chest is a good imitation of the markings on the originals. The paws are not finished in enough detail, but still a nice effort.

Close enough to the originals that Kyo Kinko would be likely how they paper. If they weren't so thin, they might get a waki-Goto call on a good day.