A solid gold belt buckle of 18 carats


By Suzuki Yoshihiko (1884-1969), Meiji (1868-1912), Taisho (1912-1926) or Showa (1926-1989) era, early 20th centuryThe rectangular body finely engraved in deep katakiribori (engraving with an angled chisel emulating brushstrokes) with a pine branch overhanging a stream, signed with chiselled characters Yoshihiko at lower right, stamped K18 and Imasen on the reverse; with a tomobako wooden storage box inscribed on the cover Choyo no matsu, bijo (A belt buckle with pine in sunrise), inside the cover signed Oju Todaishi Yoshihiko kizamu (Engraved by Todaishi Yoshihiko to special order) with a seal Yoshihiko. 3.8cm x 5.7cm (1½in x 2¼in). (2).
|Suzuki Yoshihiko was born in Edo into a family of metal engravers who had specialised in the trade for over 200 years. He first studied under Unno Yoshimori II (1864-1919) and then became a pupil of Unno Shomin (1844-1915). After his graduation from the Tokyo School of Fine Arts in 1903, Yoshihiko started signing his name with the same Chinese character as that of Unno Yoshimori II, as a homage to his master. For further information on this artist, please see Wakayama Takeshi, Kinko Jiten (A Dictionary of Metalworkers), Token Shunju Shinbunsha, Tokyo, 1999, p.1167.