Japan Messed up 2nd class Pillars

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

Well, the situation with reverse is crystal clear, but the obverse

looks like the center medallion still has original enamel, but everything else is either relaid (quite terribly) or half destroyed

[drclaw]

It's hard to tell from the images but I suspect it's enamel rot.

There was a cased example that went unsold at an Italian auction a couple of years ago which was perfect except for the fact the red enamel looked like the surface of the moon.

It seemed unusual at the time given the usual quality of Japanese manufactured insignia. But with this example, it's not a one-off.

[JapanX]

Yep.

You are certainly right about this "enamel rot"

At least it look like it

Some enamel is simply missing

And some relaid or even extra added

Edited August 18, 2014 by JapanX

[JapanX]

It seemed unusual at the time given the usual quality of Japanese manufactured insignia.

You gonna like this one

[utopis]

Yes, over the time we have seen several pillars with enamel rot. Seems there was a problem during the manufacture of these.

[JapanX]

But what a terrible "restoration" attempt!

[drclaw]

Would anyone know what is the likely cause of enamel rot?

Is it an imperfect curing process? Or perhaps using a silver metal alloy with impurities?

Edited August 18, 2014 by drclaw

[JapanX]

Could be enamel composition + explosure to external factors ...

[Dieter3]

Could be enamel composition + explosure to external factors ...

That's my guess too. Something about that particular enamel and something in the environment - perhaps extremes in temp. and humidity, and that cycle occurring for years???

[JapanX]

Another variant - long exposure to direct sun rays

[utopis]

Another variant - long exposure to direct sun rays

Do you have any evidence for that?

Enamel is one of the most UV resistant substances. The color will never fade.

But if you are right and the UV radiation is responsible for the 'corrosion' that will only be the case if the enamel was polluted in the first place.

As far as I know the reason for the 'corrosion' is an impure enamel powder + a prolonged stay in a moist environment.

+ Of course after centuries or millennia even well made glass (and enamel is not much different than that) will 'corrode' when exposed to the elements (cf. glass made during the medieval or ancient times)

[JapanX]

Enamel is one of the most UV resistant substances. The color will never fade.

No direct evidence.

It was a hypothesis

[JapanX]

As far as I know the reason for the 'corrosion' is an impure enamel powder + a prolonged stay in a moist environment.

This is what gonna happen with the Red Star order after 65 years stay under water

[utopis]

This is what gonna happen with the Red Star order after 65 years stay under water

IMG_8866.JPG

IMG_8867.JPG

Now you've got to tell the story behind this piece

[JapanX]

Yea, right

They found it in the Czech republic a couple of years ago.

In the pound.

It was awarded in May 1942 to a partisan scout for the destruction of the german train loaded with tanks, guns and ammunition.

How and why this star ended in the Czech pond - nobody knows

Edited August 19, 2014 by JapanX