Details
Sugata [configuration]: shallow koshizori, with bohi on both sides, iori-mune
Kitae [forging pattern]: mokume with itame, faint utsuri
Hamon [tempering pattern]: nioi-deki, gunome with occasional togare, ashi in the hamon
Boshi [tip]: suguha, komaru
Nakago [tang]: o-suriage, machi-okuri, the hi kaki-nagashi, two mekugi-ana
Habaki [collar]: silver
Koshirae [mounting]: the blade in shirasaya [plain wood scabbard]; the Edo-period koshirae with later black lacquer decoration, cow horn kaeshizuno and kurikata [retaining hook], the round iron tsuba with shakudo [copper-gold alloy] inlay with tasselled paper motif, the silvered fuchi-kashira with shakudo-inlaid cherry blossom and scrolling waves with gilt spray
70.9 cm. long (blade); 102 cm. long (koshirae)
Machi-haba and saki-haba (blade width at two separate points): 3 cm. (machi) and 1.8 cm. (saki)

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Lot Essay



Willem Dolphyn (1935-2016)

Willem Dolphyn was born in 1935 in Antwerp, Belgium. He grew up in an exceptional artistic environment where collecting art and antiques was a way of life. His father Victor Dolphyn was a painter and taught at the Royal Academy of art, and his grandfather, Willem Elsschot, was a well-known Flemish writer.

As a child, during the difficult war years, Willem drew pages full of incredibly detailed war scenes. Later, he earned a living creating illustrations including book illustrations and comic strips. He started his painting career in the sixties and his first exhibition in Antwerp was followed by many others around the world, including London, Monaco, and Japan.

His fascination with miniatures and his incredible eye for detail resulted in his love for the fine detail and precision of Japanese works of art, in particular swords and armour. He bought his first katana at the age of fifteen, which he found in an umbrella stand at the marché aux puces (fleamarket) in Paris. This was the beginning of his large collection that he built up over many years and was later continued by his son. He passed not only his talent for painting on to Walter, but also his passion for collecting.

In 1984, Willem co-founded and chaired the Token Society of Belgium, an organisation dedicated to the study and preservation of Japanese armour, swords, and sword-fittings. He stayed an active member until his passing in 2016.

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