SHOWA PERIOD (20TH CENTURY)

Name: A DAISHO KOSHIRAE [MOUNTINGS FOR A MATCHING PAIR OF SWORDS]
Brand: SHOWA PERIOD (20TH CENTURY)
Price: 1700.00 GBP
Availability: SoldOut

Price Realised GBP 2,125

Estimate

GBP 2,000 - GBP 3,000

Closed: 13 Dec 2017

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A DAISHO KOSHIRAE [MOUNTINGS FOR A MATCHING PAIR OF SWORDS]

SHOWA PERIOD (20TH CENTURY)

Price Realised GBP 2,125

Closed: 13 Dec 2017

Price Realised GBP 2,125

Closed: 13 Dec 2017

Details Lot Essay More from

Each koshirae lacquered black, the fuchi-kashira with shakudo [copper-gold alloy] nanako ground decorated with a plethora of gold inlaid kiri mon [paulownia family crests], menuki of gilt triple kiri mon, matching shakudo-nanako mokko tsuba with profuse gold kiri mon including mimi (side edge), the katana koshirae also with gold kiku [chrysanthemums], in Mino Goto style
63.2 cm. and 104 cm. long respectively

Please note this lot is the property of a private consignor.

Please note this lot is the property of a consumer. See H1 of the Conditions of Sale.

Conditions of Sale
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Lot Essay

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 at the age of fifteen, which he found in an umbrella stand at the (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.