JapanX

I wouldn`t be so sure that this Lion was made by Persian workshop Here comes another 100% Persian (not so bad and also from ebay)

Nick Komiya once told me an interesting story about manufacturers of orders during Meiji/Taisho period of time. Almost all orders made between 1874 and 1929 were contracted by three family workshops Haruyuki Hirata Sousuke Namikawa Muneyasu Oki Under them were the many subcontractors. Back in the 1916 there was some sort of a scandal involving these three masters that even got into the newspapers. A total of 9600 Rising suns and Scared Treasures were contracted to these 3 workshops in connection with the war with Germany. The Namikawa workshop was the first to deliver and the quality of the product exemplified a high level of workmanship that attested to their passion to always improve. The Oki and Hirata workshops, however, put in a level of performance that would have been quite "acceptable at the time of minting the Russo Japanese War Medal", but nothing that raised the bar in the way Namikawa did. Thus a great number of pieces delivered by the latter two workshops were ordered to be redone to the huge embarrassment of both masters. I wonder if the piece we examined (and pieces alike) could be from this batch of “unacceptable orders” or manufactured by this two workshops before their quality become “unacceptable” Regards, Nick

Of course But even two killed badges without pin`s could cost around $500 ... And the set was sold for $455 ...

Closer

Closer

Now the sun

Check this out

Let`s start with the leaf ;)

If you hang around long enough you’ll eventually meet them. This “low-quality” Rising Sun Orders in 4th, 5th and 6th classes. Most likely they originate from 1895-1920 period. They all have obvious problems with green (air-cells) and white enamel (underfilling`s, that sometimes looks like tiny black points). Another stable sign of these orders – very wide silver “brims” on white rays. Let’s undertake close inspection of such specimen in 6th class.

Many collectors?! Do you mean collectors of japanese Navy proficiency badges or collectors of german badges? Definitely! :lol:

By this low quality picture these superimposed "badges" look quite authentic. BTW, two original badges will easily cost $1200+ Don't forget that they are still using sticks instead of forks and spoons

Nice! I don't think that these are post-war items ... Looks like they were made in silver and were once a part of a nice tableware set I don't think that various groups on the IJN ships had their own serving sets, but there could be one large silver tableware set (privately commissioned by officers) that was used during solemn events. Cheers, Nick

Another unsolved mystery These penny-pinchers will never be happy ...

Looks like Richard's dream has come true :lol: