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A Mixed Metal (Shakudo) Round Covered Box – Meiji browse these categories for related items... All Items: Antiques:Regional Art:Asian:Japanese:Metalwork: Pre 1920: item # 887986 Please refer to our stock # COLL 9030 when inquiring.
Ichiban Japanese & Oriental Antiques Post Office Box 395 Marion, CT 06444-0395 203.272.7392 Guest Book $525.00 |
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A very handsome round metal box with the top decorated in the mixed metal known as Shakudo. The design is of mixed flowers – poppy like flowers and small asters – all attached to a group of small branches. A dragonfly hovers overhead waiting to light on one of the flowers. The box measures 5 1/4” diameter and is 2” deep. There is a five character mark on the bottom of the box that has been translated as "Kyoto, Taguchi Sei" (Kyoto Taguchi Made). We date the box to the mid to late Meiji period, circa 1880-1910. It is in excellent condition with nice patina to the mixed metal design. Shakudō is a billon of gold and copper (typically 4% Gold, 96% Copper), mostly designed for its beautiful dark blue-purple patina. It was historically used in Japan to decorate katana fittings such as tsuba and kozuka. When it was introduced to the West in the mid-19th century, it was thought to be previously unknown outside Asia, but recent studies have suggested close similarities to certain decorative alloys used in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. |
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