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ID #SA1118395
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Japanese Mixed Metal Letter Opener,c1880
Sold by Curious Antiques
sold SA1118395
Sorry, but this item has been sold.

Curious Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jun 2015
Browse dealers 139 items
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Id #SA1118395
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Japanese Mixed Metal Letter Opener,c1880

19th century
Sold 14 December 2025 · Curious Antiques
This “Japanese Mixed Metal Letter Opener,c1880” found a buyer.

It was listed by Curious Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Antique Desk ObjectAntique Letter Knife Ask the dealer for something similar
Description

Fine quality late 19th century Japanese mixed metal letter opener,c1880. Beautifully cast and decorated ,copper, brass and other metals have been layered to give colour and shade to the piece. The handle is decorated to both sides with a group of climbing monkeys and the main body/blade has lovely foliage decoration. Overall condition is good in line with age and use and the metal has great colour/patina. Please refer to the detailed photographs and feel free to contact me if you would like to view the item or have any questions.

Price includes FREE UK delivery, please contact me regarding international shipping.

Size: 30cm tall x 3cm wide x 2cm deep.

Date of Manufacture

Curious Antiques has dated this Japanese Mixed Metal Letter Opener to the 19th Century.

Physical Dimensions
Height
30cm (11.81")
Width
3cm (1.18")
Depth
2cm (0.79")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1118395
Dealers Notes

Curious Antiques specialises in sourcing fine, rare and unusual antiques and curiosities. We are passionate about customer satisfaction and will do all we can to ensure you are happy and in the unlikely event you are not offer a no questions asked returns policy. We accept payment via paypal, bank transfer, cheque and cash.

Description
Fine quality late 19th century Japanese mixed metal letter opener,c1880.
“
Beautifully cast and decorated ,copper, brass and other metals have been layered to give colour and shade to the piece.
Curious Antiques

The handle is decorated to both sides with a group of climbing monkeys and the main body/blade has lovely foliage decoration. Overall condition is good in line with age and use and the metal has great colour/patina. Please refer to the detailed photographs and feel free to contact me if you would like to view the item or have any questions.

Price includes FREE UK delivery, please contact me regarding international shipping.

Size: 30cm tall x 3cm wide x 2cm deep.

Date of Manufacture

Curious Antiques has dated this Japanese Mixed Metal Letter Opener to the 19th Century.

Height
30cm (11.81")
Width
3cm (1.18")
Depth
2cm (0.79")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1118395
Curious Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jun 2015
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Curious Antiques Profile Page

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An antique Japanese mixed metal letter opener featuring figural relief ornamentation on the handle and engraved botanical motifs along the blade. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 9
Archive I An antique Japanese mixed metal letter opener featuring figural relief ornamentation on the handle and engraved botanical motifs along the blade. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Japanese Mixed Metal Letter Opener,c1880

Archive II An antique Japanese mixed metal letter opener featuring figural relief ornamentation on the handle and engraved botanical motifs along the blade. View II
Archive III An antique Japanese mixed metal letter opener featuring figural relief ornamentation on the handle and engraved botanical motifs along the blade. View III
Archive IV An antique Japanese mixed metal letter opener featuring figural relief ornamentation on the handle and engraved botanical motifs along the blade. View IV
Archive V An antique Japanese mixed metal letter opener featuring figural relief ornamentation on the handle and engraved botanical motifs along the blade. View V
Archive VI An antique Japanese mixed metal letter opener featuring figural relief ornamentation on the handle and engraved botanical motifs along the blade. View VI
Archive VII An antique Japanese mixed metal letter opener featuring figural relief ornamentation on the handle and engraved botanical motifs along the blade. View VII
Archive VIII An antique Japanese mixed metal letter opener featuring figural relief ornamentation on the handle and engraved botanical motifs along the blade. View VIII
Archive IX An antique Japanese mixed metal letter opener featuring figural relief ornamentation on the handle and engraved botanical motifs along the blade. View IX
Enlarged Archival View

Curious Antiques
Telephone 07795 237 189
Location
Curious Antiques
Timeline Antiques Centre
Midland Road
North Walsham
Norfolk
NR28 9JR
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/curious
Verified Since Jun 2015
Items For Sale 139
Items Sold 374
Curious Antiques
Verified Since Jun 2015
View Dealer Info
Location: Curious Antiques, Timeline Antiques Centre, Midland Road, North Walsham, Norfolk, NR28 9JR, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/curious
Verified
Jun 2015
For Sale
139
Sold
374
An antique Japanese mixed metal letter opener featuring figural relief ornamentation on the handle and engraved botanical motifs along the blade.
Japanese Mixed Metal letter Opener,c1880
Ref: SA1118395
An antique Japanese mixed metal letter opener featuring figural relief ornamentation on the handle and engraved botanical motifs along the blade.
Detail View 1
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Detail View 3
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Detail View 8
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDesk Accessories
  • Period19th century
  • StyleMeiji Period
  • MaterialBronze, Copper, Brass
  • ColourAntique Gold
  • MotifsFigural relief handle, Engraved botanical motifs, Mixed metal alloys
  • SizeH 30 cm (12 in) x W 3 cm (1 in) x D 2 cm (1 in)

FAQs

The Meiji period spans from 1868 to 1912, marking an era of intense modernisation and the opening of Japan to Western trade, which caused a surge in demand for decorative arts like mixed metalwork.

Traditional pieces frequently combine copper, brass, bronze, and specialised alloys such as shakudo and shibuichi, often highlighted with gold and silver inlays.

Authentic pieces typically exhibit hand-carved details, natural patination, signature hallmarks or artisan stamps, and complex metallurgical techniques like nunome-zogan inlay.

Placed centrally on a dark wood desk or displayed within a glass-topped coffee table tray, it serves as a tactile focal point that introduces historical texture.

Clean surfaces gently with a dry, soft microfibre cloth and avoid chemical polishes that strip away the historically valuable oxidation layer.
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