Knife Handle (Kozuka) 19th century

This knife handle was made in Japan by Joken Mori, who died in 1866. It's made of shakudo, an alloy of copper and gold that turns a beautiful, deep black when treated with a special patina. Shakudo was often used to decorate sword fittings like this one, and the process of making it was quite complex. The artist would have to carefully mix the metals, cast the handle, and then meticulously carve the design into the surface. The high level of skill is evident in the crispness of the lines and the detail of the imagery. The motifs are inlaid using the 'takabori' technique, a form of relief carving used in Japanese metalworking. Consider the labor involved. Not just the physical effort of carving, but also the knowledge required to create the alloy and apply the patina. These weren't just decorative objects, they were statements about the owner's status and taste, and the craftsman's skill. This object bridges the categories of fine art and craft, demonstrating how closely intertwined they can be.