Ezo Menuki (蝦夷目貫)

Japanese Title: 牡丹の図目貫 (botan no zu menuki) 
Material: Unrefined Copper (Yamagane 山銅)
Age: Nanboku-chō Period (南北朝時代)
Size: 5.3 cm
Signature: Mumei (無銘)
Surface Finish: Migakiji (磨地)
Attachment: None

These are large functional handle ornaments (menuki 目貫) of a mounted on a long Japanese sword (Ō-katana 大刀) or a sword worn edge down while on houseback (tachi 太刀).
The main motif of both menuki is that of Tree Peonies Paeonia suffruticosa (botan 牡丹) with three flowers and numerous buds done in openwork (sukashi 透かし) along with a fair amount of fine gold highlights (iroe 色絵) that show very nice natural wear.
Overall, the condition of the set is very good for its age, the front side facing menuki (omote-menuki 表目貫) which is that largest of the set was at some point damaged and repaired a very long time ago. This old damage and subsequent repair of the menuki plate and pine pitch or resin molding are more apparent on the reverse (ura 裏) side of the largest front side facing menuki.

Provenance: Robert Mormile Collection