Kantei

NH-0520 Rank 298

Mitokoromono · Nomura school

A set of kozuka, kōgai and menuki with oak branches and acorns in shakudō and gold, unsigned and attributed to the Nomura school by an NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper.

Mitokoromono (menuki, kozuka and kōgai)Late Edo (1781–1868)Late Edo period (18th–19th century)NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōsōgu

Photographs by the seller at origin.

Description

A three-piece set (mitokoromono) comprising a kozuka, a kōgai and a pair of menuki, united by a single theme: oak branches with acorns (団栗図, donguri-zu). It is unsigned; the NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper attributes it to the Nomura school (無銘 野村, mumei Nomura). On the kozuka and kōgai the branches are carved in takabori over a fine, even shakudō nanako ground, with gold iroe leaves bearing engraved veins and deeply polished shakudō acorns; both pieces have gilt frames and gilt backs with a brushed finish. The menuki, in shakudō carved to shape (katachibori) with gold leaves, repeat the composition and retain their copper posts. The photographs show the set in good condition: the nanako is crisp, the gold on the leaves intact and the shakudō patina an even blue-black; the gilt backs show light marks and a few small dark spots from use. It is presented in a wooden box with a cushion, with no visible inscription. The paper, number 226300, is dated 20 June 2002.

Strong points

  • Complete three-piece set with a unified acorn theme
  • NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper attributing the set to the Nomura school
  • Fine, even shakudō nanako ground
  • Gold iroe leaves and deeply polished shakudō acorns in takabori

Points to bear in mind

  • Unsigned: the paper gives a school attribution, not a specific maker
  • Light marks and a few dark spots on the gilt backs
  • The period is inferred from style; the paper does not state it

Score breakdown

50.5/100

The score shares out 100 points: Maker 25 · Workmanship 20 · Condition 18 · Period 12 · Paper 10 · Extras 5 · Price 10. It is computed from the record, not from an opinion. Maker, workmanship, condition and period are judged from the photographs and the paper; price is compared only with fittings of the same type.

  1. Maker 9 of 25 Attributed to a school only
  2. Workmanship 10 of 20 Good work
  3. Condition 14 of 18 Good condition
  4. Period 5 of 12 Late Edo (1781–1868)
  5. Paper 4 of 10 NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōsōgu
  6. Extras 0 of 5 No complete set by the same maker and no inscribed box
  7. Price 8.5 of 10 Rank 3 of 14 by price among pieces of its type, from the most affordable to the dearest