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Two pairs of menuki | The first signed Yanagawa Naotoki and kao [cursive monogram] | Edo period, 19th century
Lot Closed
March 25, 04:11 PM GMT
Estimate
5,000 - 8,000 USD
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Read more.Lot Details
Description
Two pairs of menuki
The first signed Yanagawa Naotoki and kao [cursive monogram]
Edo period, 19th century
the gold menuki in the form of galloping horses with saddle and bridle in the style of ema [votive plaques depicting horses], signed Yanagawa Naotoki and kao [cursive monogram; the second Ko Kinko school shakudo and gold menuki in form of bellflowers (kikyo) among foliage
each approx. 3 cm., 1⅛ in. (the first)
each approx. 3.6 cm., 1½ in. (the second)
The first accompanied by a certificate of registration (kanteisho), no. 5046 issued by the Nihon Token Hozon Kai [Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Sword], dated Heisei 14 (2002).
The second accompanied by a certificate of registration as Tokubetsu Hozon Tosogu [Sword Fitting Especially Worthy of Preservation], no. 2001331 issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai [Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword], dated Heisei 26 (2014).
Randolph B. Caldwell (1924-2005) (the first)
Art of the Samurai: The Paul L. Davidson Collection (New York, 2023), p. 76.
Randolph B. Caldwell (1924-2005) was born in Texas. He studied at the Culver Military Academy and was commissioned Pilot Officer, flying B-29s and B-24s during World War II. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, making his career in investment banking until his retirement in 1986. Familiarly known as "RB", he started collecting swords in 1958 and was the most active of the American collectors at the time. He helped with the organisation of several Japanese sword judging committees (shinsa) and brought the first Japanese swordsmith to the West.
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