NH-0730 Rank 216
Daishō tsuba pair · Norichika
矩最 (Norichika)
A daishō pair of shakudō tsuba with peonies and shishi in katakiribori and kebori, signed by Norichika of Edo, with NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon papers.
Photographs
Photographs by the seller at origin.
Description
A pair of tsuba for a daishō mounting, one large and one small, both signed 江戸住矩最 (Edo-jū Norichika), "Norichika, resident of Edo". The NBTHK paper titles the work 牡丹獅子図大小鐔 (botan shishi-zu daishō tsuba): daishō tsuba with a peony and shishi design. The photographs show on each piece the guardian lion with a mane of curls among clouds, facing peonies, leaves and stems on the opposite side, with the composition continuing onto the other face. According to the paper they are of upright round shape, in shakudō with a yakite-kusarashi ground, a distinctive surface of fused droplets, carved in katakiribori and kebori, with a fukurin rim. The original seller gives 80 × 74 × 4.4 mm and 164 g for the large guard, and 76 × 72 × 4.4 mm and 152 g for the small one. The photographs show an even dark patina, a few reddish copper spots on the high points and fine scratches near the signature, with no cracks or rust. They come in their two-compartment wooden box, with no visible inscription.
Strong points
- Complete daishō pair, both tsuba signed by the same maker
- NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper issued in 2024 for the pair
- Shakudō with an uncommon yakite-kusarashi ground
- Shishi and peonies finely carved in katakiribori and kebori
Points to bear in mind
- The period is inferred from style; neither signature nor paper dates it
- A few reddish copper spots and fine surface scratches
- The rim is not photographed in close-up
Score breakdown
55.5/100
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.
- Maker 19 of 25 Genuine signature of a known maker or school
- Workmanship 10 of 20 Good work
- Condition 14 of 18 Good condition
- Period 5 of 12 Late Edo (1781–1868)
- Paper 4 of 10 NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōsōgu
- Extras 0 of 5 No complete set by the same maker and no inscribed box
- Price 3.5 of 10 Rank 149 of 228 by price among pieces of its type, from the most affordable to the dearest