Kyo-kinko menuki

This is a certified Tokubetsu Hozon set of solid gold menuki from the distinguished Kyo-Kinko (京金工) school, depicting a phoenix (鳳凰, hō-ō) in flight amidst paulownia crests (桐紋, kiri-mon), a motif historically associated with imperial authority and the Toyotomi family. Crafted in the late Edo period, these menuki are unsigned (無銘, mumei) but exemplify the elegant and intricate workmanship that defines Kyoto-based gold fittings. The detailing is exceptionally crisp, with rich carving and goldwork that reflect the high skill of the artist and the refined aesthetic typical of courtly commissions. The set has been awarded the prestigious Tokubetsu Hozon Kanteisho (特別保存刀装具) by the NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai), certificate no. 2008918, dated Reiwa 4 (2022), October 7th. This designation affirms that the fittings are of especially high quality and worthy of special preservation. Rare among even Kyo-Kinko works, these solid gold ornaments would have likely adorned a custom mounting for a high-ranking samurai or noble, making them a significant addition to any advanced kodogu or tosogu collection.