TOSHIHIKO: A SHAKUDO & GOLD 'PINE TREE' OBIDOME

TOSHIHIKO: A SUPERB SHAKUDO AND 18K GOLD OBIDOME (SASH CLIP) WITH PINE TREE
By Toshihiko, signed Toshihiko
Japan, first half of 20th century

Masterfully worked in shakudo with fine incision work as a pine tree amongst gold clouds. Mounted on an 18k gold plate with three hallmarks and 'K18' stamp. Signed to the side TOSHIHIKO. With an old cord for the attachment to the obi (sash).

LENGTH 5.8 cm
WEIGHT 22 g

Condition: Excellent condition with minor surface wear.
Provenance: French private collection.

The artist is probably the one listed in the Haynes Index of Japanese Sword Fittings and Associated Artists on page 2040 (H 10354.0) with the remark: “a student and connoisseur of the Goto school and an exponent of its methods.”

The obidome (sash clips) are miniature mixed metal clips which were mounted to the obi (sash) with the help of a cord. Like kagamibuta netsuke and kanamono they were fashion accessories, many of them made by famous and celebrated metalwork artists who previously made sword fittings, which fell out of demand due to the Sword Abolishment Edict in 1876. The craftsmanship of these certainly rivaled those of the finest Western jewelers.