Background of  Gyokusendo of Japan

Gyokusendo of Japan is a company of artisans which began in 1814 and has been in operation since that date.  Specializing in completely hand hammered objects, items are hand formed starting with a single sheet of hand beaten metal.  They are even capable of forming the traditional Japanese teapot including the spout, using only a single sheet of copper/bronze to begin with.  They have their own special bronze and copper compositions made specifically for them, and have developed their own unique formulations for patinating the finished pieces.

Their artisan workmen today are trained at the company utilizing the traditional apprentice system, and often today’s workmen are descendants of previous artisans, coming from a long family tradition.  They make their own tools, and utilize some 200 different hammers and some 300 different ”toriguchi”, the anvils against which the metal is beaten.  To form just one kettle, a workman may use from twenty to thirty toriguchi alone.  The workmen utilize a sitting position to work, on a work stool called an “agari ban”, which is a slice from a zelkova tree.  They cushion the piece being worked on between their feet, and it may take up to a week making one item from a single sheet of metal. 

When one examines the quality of the Gyokusendo hand hammered work, and the secret metal and patina formulations which they have developed and use, it is of no surprise that Japan has designated the Gyokusendo Company and its artisan workmen as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Japan.  

Gyrokusendo Small Vase – Overall Horizontal Hammered Pattern

A small third quarter 20th century vase formed using a small hammer,  in an pattern to form horizontal lines of hammer marks.  With a nice silver-blue patina and with its original paulownia wood box.

Size is 5 3/4″ high by 3 7/8″ maximum diameter.

1312     -   ODR     -     SOLD

Gyokusendo Large Vase – Overall Random Hammered Pattern

A third quarter of the 20th century vase having an overall random hammered pattern and in silver-blue surface patina.  Comes with its original paulownia wood  box.

Size is 7 1/2″ high by 6 5/8″ maximum diameter.

1311     -     NLL     -     $475

Gyokusendo Small Vase – High Shoulder With Vertical Dot Groupings

A little different type of small vase with a slender, tall shouldered style, formed using a small hammer.  The overall patina is silver-blue, with three areas 120 degrees apart which have groupings of four large dots, some  in a copper-gold patina.  Comes with its paulownia wood box.

Size is 5 3/8″ tall by 3 1/4″ maximum diameter.

1313     -     NLD     -     $595

Gyokusendo Large Vase – Vertical Dot Groupings

Dating to the third quarter of the 20th century, this vase exhibits an overall hammered design in a silver blue finish.  Its design includes three sections, 120 degrees apart, of vertical groupings of large dots, some dots in silver-blue and some in copper-gold.  Complete with its original paulownia wood box.

Size is 6 3/8″ high by 6″ maximum diameter.

3107     -     NIE     -     SOLD

Gyrokusendo Large Vase – Urn Shape with Vertical Dot Groupings

More unusual shape for a Gyokusendo made vase, this version has a very nicely proportioned urn shape, with threee groupings of larger vertical dots spaced around it.  Nice attractive silver blue base color with subdued hammering with large blue and copper-gold dots.  Comes with its original box of paulownia wood.

Size is 8 1/8″ high by 5 1/8″ maximum diameter.

1314     -     NIN     -     PENDING

Gyokusendo Large Vase – Early Drip Style

This example dates to the second quarter of the 20th century and was the most difficult of their designs to produce.  Formed from a single sheet of copper, it was hand hammered and chased to produce the raised dripping effect, finally being finished with the maker’s propritary metal patinas.  This is a very large example of a Guyokusendo vase.  There is one small area where a minor dent was corrected many years ag0.

Size is 7 1/2″ High  x  7 1/2″ Diameter

3164     -     MHND     -     $850

Gyokusendo Large Vase – Early Slender Drip Style

This example dates to the second quarter of the 20th century and is a slender version of the more typical drip vase, which is usually as wide as it is tall.

The drip vase is perhaps Gyrokusendo’s most noted and recognized design.  More difficult to make than many other styles, since the raised pronounced drips are made by a combination of both hammering and metal chasing.  In excellent condition, this piece does not have its original box.

Size is 7 1/2″ tall by 6 1/4″ maximum diameter.

3109     -     HDD     -     $850

Superb Solid Silver Fluted Ewer – Early 20th century

This is a heavy and dramatic handled ewer pitcher of solid silver from the hands of a talented Portugese silversmith, and which is hallmarked for 833 fine silver.  It dates to the first quarter of the 19th century and displays a classic and wonderfully sculpted form which really draws attention to itself.  Even more remarkable is its weight of more than two pounds of silver (actual 904 grams or 29.2 troy ounces).

This is simply a wonderful and well executed pitcher by a Portugese silversmith that has no problems whatsoever and would grace any shelf or table.  The ewer has soft older patina which would be brightened if desired with the use of a little silver polish.

Size is 8 1/4 “ high  x  5 1/2 ” body diameter x 7 1/2″ maximum width with handle.

1353     -     NDHD     -     $1895