Ko-kinkō kōgai (古金工笄) with motif of a herd of deer or gun-shika (群鹿). Some maple leaves are also carved around the central figure. The scene is quite lively, with the seemingly male deer all in motion. This is an autumnal motif. Base metal is yamagane (山銅), and the carving is executed in high relief or takabori (高彫), on a background of very fine nanako (魚子). Considerable amount of black lacquer remains on the plate. Worth noting that the carving is very high, with nearly vertical edges, reminiscent of contemporary Ko-Mino work which is also known for deer motifs. Comes in a nice custom fitted box.
Translation of the NBTHK Hozon paper description follows:
群鹿図笄 (Gun shika-zu kōgai )
無銘 古金工 (Mumei
ko-kinkō)
山銅 魚子地 高彫 (Yamagane nanako-ji takabori)
Heisei 20th year (2008) May 2nd
Measurements: 22.5cm x 1.36cm x 0.8cm
Mid Muromachi Period (室町前中期代), late 15th - early 16th c.
$1,450
info@tosoguya.com
