Kantei

NH-0587 Rank 220

Menuki · Masayoshi

政義 (Masayoshi)

Pair of menuki with crawling dragons in gilt suaka, signed Masayoshi on a silver tanzaku, with NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper.

MenukiLate Edo (1781–1868)Late Edo period (18th-19th century)NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōsōgu

Photographs by the seller at origin.

Description

A pair of menuki depicting two crawling dragons (hairyū), one on each piece, with scales, crests and claws finely chiselled and inlaid eyes. They are worked in katachibori (cut-out modelling) on suaka, copper, and entirely covered in gold (kin iroe). One of them carries on the reverse a tanzaku, a small silver plaque, bearing the signature 政義 (Masayoshi). The NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper, issued in 2007, describes them as 這龍図目貫 (hairyū-zu menuki), signed on a silver tanzaku by Masayoshi, 素銅地 容彫 金色絵 (suaka-ji katachibori kin iroe). The photographs show the gilding almost intact on the fronts and the copper backs with their dark patina and pegs. The late Edo dating is inferred from style; the original seller only states the Edo period. They are presented in a box with a fabric-lined bed.

Strong points

  • NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper (no. 227932)
  • Silver tanzaku signature accepted by the paper
  • Finely chiselled dragons in katachibori
  • Gilding almost intact on the fronts

Points to bear in mind

  • Neither the paper nor the original seller specifies which Masayoshi or which school
  • The dating is inferred from style; the paper does not give it
  • Slight verdigris on the copper back of one piece

Score breakdown

55.3/100

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 19 of 25 Genuine signature of a known maker or school
  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 3.3 of 10 Rank 15 of 22 by price among pieces of its type, from the most affordable to the dearest