Pair of menuki, Japan, ca. 1660-1724
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 1660-1724
Pair of menuki in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (museum number M.138-1924), made in Japan, dated ca. 1660-1724. The museum's brief description reads: Pair of hilt-fittings (menuki), copper-gold alloy (shakudo) with gold and silver depicting almost identical designs of bow and quiver of arrows, signed Goto and Mitsuyo) (Goto Joha, died 1724), Japan. Museum description: Pair of hilt-fittings (menuki), copper-gold alloy (shakudo) with gold and silver depicting almost identical designs of bow and quiver of arrows, signed Goto and Mitsuyo) The museum records it as copper-gold alloy ( shakudo ) with gold and silver, measuring Length 6.9 cm. These details come from the museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
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.
Historical context
This pair of hilt fittings, menuki in Japanese, are made of shakudo, an alloy of copper and gold which is generally patinated to a rich black colour. They are covered with gold and silver depicting almost identical designs of a bow and quiver of arrows.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- copper, gold, silver
- Dimensions
- Length 6.9 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- copper-gold alloy (<i>shakudo</i>) with gold and silver
- Place recorded
- Japan
Design
- Inscriptions recorded
- signed Goto and Mitsuyo)
Identification
- Museum object name
- Pair of menuki
- Museum object number
- M.138-1924
- Museum system number
- O193278
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and catalogue references against a specialist reference.