Kikugawa Masamitsu silver and gold manju netsuke with dragon
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
19th century
This 19th-century Japanese manju netsuke is crafted from silver with selective gold highlights, fashioned into a thick, circular form reminiscent of a tama. The surface is decorated in high relief, featuring a powerful dragon writhing amidst swirling cloud motifs.
The dragon's fierce expression is captured with bulging eyes, flaring nostrils, and open jaws revealing sharp fangs, while long, curling whiskers extend across the surface. The creature's sinuous body, scales, and mane are intricately rendered through fine chasing and engraving. Gilt details are applied to the dragon's whiskers, flames, and eyes, providing a striking contrast against the dark, polished silver ground.
The reverse includes a central himotoshi loop for cord attachment and is signed by the artist, Masamitsu, with the character for 'carved by' (koku). Measuring 3.5 cm in diameter and 2.3 cm in thickness, this piece is attributed to the esteemed Kikugawa family of metalworkers from the Edo and Meiji periods, known for their dynamic, high-relief metalwork.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Weight
- 70 g
- Diameter
- 3.5 cm
- Material
- silver, gold
- Thickness
- 2.3 cm
Technical characteristics
- Decoration
- high relief, chased, engraved, gilt
Design
- Obverse
- dragon amid clouds
- Reverse
- central himotoshi, signature
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- Kikugawa Masamitsu
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.