Details
Sugata [configuration]: hirazukuri, saki zori, low iori-mune
Kitae [forging pattern]: ko-mokume hada with ji-nie
Hamon [tempering pattern]: suguha in nie
Boshi [tip]: ichi mai
Nakago [tang]: ubu, kiri yasuri, single mekugi-ana, ha-agari, kuri-jiri
Habaki [collar]: silver on copper
Koshirae [mounting]: the red lacquered scabbard broadening towards the tip which is clad in patinated metal with gold wisteria scrolling inlay, menuki with vegetables, matching iron kozuka and kogai with mice, large iron kojiri similarly decorated, iron kurigata similarly inlaid, matching iron tsuba with gilt details, kashira with a goose in flight
30.5 cm. long (blade); 47.3 cm. long (koshirae)
Machi-haba (blade width at the bottom): 2.5 cm.

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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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