Ko-Mino Kōgai

The motif of this kōgai is of a branch of plum blossoms (Edaume 枝梅).   

The kōgai is made of black shakudō (赤銅). The motif itself is a executed in a particular style of carving known as Sukidashi-Fukabori(鋤出深彫), where the motif is characterized by being very deeply carved into the ground plate, but level with the surface. This technique characterizes early Mino works.  In addition, it should be pointed out that the carved walls are vertical or even undercut, making the motif visually pop.  The gold application is well preserved and tastefully applied on this kōgai. It is done in a technique called Uttori (うっとり), where a thin gold foil is mechanically applied to a surface and affixed into thin slots cut around the edges.  Another name for this technique is Fukuro-ki(se), which is what the paper indicates. The nanako surface on many ko-Mino kogai are not as defined in comparison to ko-Gotō work, resulting in a textured, but generally flat background, which emphasizes the carved motif.  Comes with a custom fitted box.

Translation of the Tokubetsu Hozon paper description follows:

枝梅図笄 (Eda-ume zu kōgai)

無銘 古美濃 (Mumei Ko-Mino)

赤銅 魚子地 鋤出深彫 袋着色絵 (Shakudō nanako-ji Sukidashi fukabori Fukuro-ki Iroe)

Reiwa 3^rd year (2021) September 17^th

Measurements: 22.2cm x 1.3cm x 0.5cm

Muromachi Period (室町時代), late 15th to mid 16th century

$1,550