Asian Bamboo page turner......

No...not Tina Turner...or Ted Turner.........but...Page Turner......

17 1/4 x 1 3/4 inches.
A little chewed at the tip, and the blade has rough edges from use...or abuse.

Sorry for the poor photo's...my lighting was off.....it's more of a soft brown with toffee highlights.

Any comments are welcomed, as to age,place of birth......& if you care to speculate on value.....feel free !

 

Place of birth: Japan
Date of birth: ca. 1890-1900
I have seen them from about $15 (US) upwards, depending on condition and quality of carving.

 

Yay...I posted a REAL antique !!!

Thank you !

 

http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/the-mystery-of-the-phantom-page-turner/



It's actually a page knife.....

 

ah! you have a page knife! When you visit me, please include it within your luggage as I have twenty-plus volumes that need the pages cut...........I will supply refreshments.......

 

I have more than one, and the next time I'm in the Windy City.....I'll stop by !

 

That looks to be a very good one, lovely casting, is it from Japan?

 

the handle is 2 parts,,,,the top is all hollow inside.....the back is a slab....etched....like the blade.
It's called mixed metal.....and while i've never had it tested......the colors look oddly familiar....

 

i've new wondered if chinese or japanese....

 

I know the Japanese silversmiths turned their hand from making tsuba's when it became illegal to produce swords sometime in the 19th c, it's very hard to tell but it could be made from some precious metal?

 

I'm sure it's Japanese and 19th c

 

well...gold comes in red, yellow and white....soooo....???

 

Agree, Japanese, Meiji period, 1868-1912.

Yes, mixed metal. It is a form of non-patinated shibuichi, where alloys of three or more metals are used in different percentages of the metals to produce different colours.
Here is some info:
http://www.jimkelso.com/japanalloys.htm

 

Here is a link to an inexpensive metals testing kit at REMOVED(note: I have an affiliate arrangement with Amazon.com) The cost is only $9.85 + $4.00 shipping. A useful addition to any tool kit utilized by buyers of antiques.

 

wtf..is this another ad.
I have an arrangement with Antiquers dot com........and i'm exercising it !!

 

Komokowa - Granted, if someone makes a purchase, I get 50 cents, so I assure you I'm not trying to spam anyone, just give a helpful lead and follow the rules to indicate my relationship with Amazon. I am trying to be helpful, which is the whole foundation of my online business. So exercise your arrangement and I will refrain from offering any help in the future.

 

I'll leave it up to the Moderators as to whether your actions on this site are allowed .....and if so...I'll leave you alone in peace.

but as I read it....rule 3.b ....is very clear.......

B - Posting links to personal sales sites is not permitted. A personal sales site may be defined as any web site of a business that you own, or the site of a business that you work for, or are affiliated with in any way, that offers items for sale.

 

OK - I will refrain from any links of ANY kind so as to avoid more problems with this site. I was only trying to help, sorry for being such a boor.