Button Item Number: Ed5.2949 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Round metal button with surface designs in high relief: monkey-like human figure in copper inlay has bushy eyebrows and chin and wears cloth covering (in gold inlay) below large stomach. Stands on muscled legs while carrying on back, human. Latter dressed in long patterned robe; holds on by hands below other's chin while face looks back. Human's face, cloth head covering, belt, foot, and hands in gold inlay. Engraving on ground shows water, tree trunk, and limbs. Possible artist's signature engraved on left. Remaining area has blackened finish. Reddish-coloured reverse side with slightly elevated rim has angular cut copper loop attached.
History Of Use
Worn on clothing. Repousse is highly used and treasured decorative method on sword furniture such as the guard (tsuba), hilt, and other mountings, and on armour. Japanese masters in the art of adding coloured metals (uttori) for decorative purposes since Joshin, member of the Goto family (1511-1562), began using this method.
Item History
- Made in Japan before 1980
- Owned by Joan Goodall before December 19, 1980
- Received from Joan Goodall (Donor) on December 19, 1980
What
- Name
- Button
- Identification Number
- Ed5.2949
- Type of Item
- button
- Material
- gold metal, copper metal and copper alloy metal
- Manufacturing Technique
- repousse, inlaid, engraved, soldered, chiseled and punched
- Overall
- height 1.0 cm, diameter 3.2 cm
Who
- Culture
- Japanese
- Previous Owner
- Joan Goodall
- Received from
- Joan Goodall (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Japan
When
- Creation Date
- before 1980
- Ownership Date
- before December 19, 1980
- Acquisition Date
- on December 19, 1980
Other
- Item Classes
- metalwork
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 0694/0010