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ID #SA1237393
FOR SALE
£275
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Superb Japanese Enamel Butterfly Hikite / Door Pull Handle. Circa 1850.
For sale by Dragoncharger Antiques
for sale €322     $349
£275

Dragoncharger Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Aug 2024
Browse dealers 162 items
  • About Us
    Specialising in early japanese cloisonne, edo enamel artisan period.
Id #SA1237393
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Superb Japanese Enamel Butterfly Hikite / Door Pull Handle. Circa 1850.

19th century
Description

Superb Japanese Antique Enamel Butterfly Hikite / Door Pull Handle. Circa 1850 (possibly earlier).

Lovely little handle with finely enameled butterflies, with further debossed /recessed indentations (where the design sits below the material's surface) simulating further insects. The small size of this hikite suggests it may have been affixed to a small sliding panel or cupboard door. In traditional Japanese architecture, a hikite is a flush, recessed circular or rectangular form door pull inset into sliding doors (fusuma or shoji). Because Japanese sliding doors pass right next to each other in wooden tracks, protruding doorknobs or handles cannot be used, and this beautiful item would have been sunken-in flush to the panel.

Condition: Excellent original condition. Enamel work fully intact. Vivid colours in red, green, yellow and white enamel. Excellent patina. Museum / collection number (115) to reverse.

Dimensions:

Height = 5.2 cm

Width: 3.6 cm

Depth : 0.8 cm

Physical Dimensions
Height
5.2cm (2.05")
Width
3.6cm (1.42")
Depth
0.8cm (0.31")
Declaration

Dragoncharger Antiques has dated this Japanese Enamel Door Pull to the 1850s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1237393
Dealers Internal Reference
D:09096
Description
Superb Japanese Antique Enamel Butterfly Hikite / Door Pull Handle. Circa 1850 (possibly earlier).
“
Lovely little handle with finely enameled butterflies, with further debossed /recessed indentations (where the design sits below the material's surface) simulating further insects.
Dragoncharger Antiques

The small size of this hikite suggests it may have been affixed to a small sliding panel or cupboard door. In traditional Japanese architecture, a hikite is a flush, recessed circular or rectangular form door pull inset into sliding doors (fusuma or shoji). Because Japanese sliding doors pass right next to each other in wooden tracks, protruding doorknobs or handles cannot be used, and this beautiful item would have been sunken-in flush to the panel.

fig 1. An oval-shaped antique Japanese bronze recessed door pull featuring two decorative enamel butterflies against a textured gilded background.
fig 1. Superb Japanese Enamel Butterfly Hikite / Door Pull Handle. Circa 1850.

Condition: Excellent original condition. Enamel work fully intact. Vivid colours in red, green, yellow and white enamel. Excellent patina. Museum / collection number (115) to reverse.

Dimensions:

Height = 5.2 cm

Width: 3.6 cm

Depth : 0.8 cm

Height
5.2cm (2.05")
Width
3.6cm (1.42")
Depth
0.8cm (0.31")
Date of Manufacture

Dragoncharger Antiques has dated this Japanese Enamel Door Pull to the 1850s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1237393
Dealers Internal Ref
D:09096
Dragoncharger Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Aug 2024

Specialising in early japanese cloisonne, edo enamel artisan period.

Dealer Profile

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

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An oval-shaped antique Japanese bronze recessed door pull featuring two decorative enamel butterflies against a textured gilded background.
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Archive I An oval-shaped antique Japanese bronze recessed door pull featuring two decorative enamel butterflies against a textured gilded background.

Superb Japanese Enamel Butterfly Hikite / Door Pull Handle. Circa 1850.

Archive II An oval-shaped antique Japanese bronze recessed door pull featuring two decorative enamel butterflies against a textured gilded background. View II
Archive III An oval-shaped antique Japanese bronze recessed door pull featuring two decorative enamel butterflies against a textured gilded background. View III
Archive IV An oval-shaped antique Japanese bronze recessed door pull featuring two decorative enamel butterflies against a textured gilded background. View IV
Archive V An oval-shaped antique Japanese bronze recessed door pull featuring two decorative enamel butterflies against a textured gilded background. View V
Archive VI An oval-shaped antique Japanese bronze recessed door pull featuring two decorative enamel butterflies against a textured gilded background. View VI
Archive VII An oval-shaped antique Japanese bronze recessed door pull featuring two decorative enamel butterflies against a textured gilded background. View VII
Archive VIII An oval-shaped antique Japanese bronze recessed door pull featuring two decorative enamel butterflies against a textured gilded background. View VIII
Archive IX An oval-shaped antique Japanese bronze recessed door pull featuring two decorative enamel butterflies against a textured gilded background. View IX
Archive X An oval-shaped antique Japanese bronze recessed door pull featuring two decorative enamel butterflies against a textured gilded background. View X
Archive XI An oval-shaped antique Japanese bronze recessed door pull featuring two decorative enamel butterflies against a textured gilded background. View XI
Archive XII An oval-shaped antique Japanese bronze recessed door pull featuring two decorative enamel butterflies against a textured gilded background. View XII
Archive XIII An oval-shaped antique Japanese bronze recessed door pull featuring two decorative enamel butterflies against a textured gilded background. View XIII
Archive XIV An oval-shaped antique Japanese bronze recessed door pull featuring two decorative enamel butterflies against a textured gilded background. View XIV
Archive XV An oval-shaped antique Japanese bronze recessed door pull featuring two decorative enamel butterflies against a textured gilded background. View XV
Enlarged Archival View

Dragoncharger Antiques
Telephone 07974 144321
Location
Bristol
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/dragonchargerantiques
Verified Since Aug 2024
Items For Sale 162
Items Sold 17
Dragoncharger Antiques
Verified Since Aug 2024
View Dealer Info
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/dragonchargerantiques
Verified
Aug 2024
For Sale
162
Sold
17
An oval-shaped antique Japanese bronze recessed door pull featuring two decorative enamel butterflies against a textured gilded background.
Superb Japanese Enamel Butterfly Hikite / Door Pull Handle. Circa 1850.
Ref: SA1237393
An oval-shaped antique Japanese bronze recessed door pull featuring two decorative enamel butterflies against a textured gilded background.
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDoor Handles
  • Period19th century
  • StyleEdo Period
  • MaterialBronze, Enamel, Gold Leaf
  • ColourBronze and Gold
  • MotifsButterfly inlay, Recessed oval rim, Textured gilding, Enamel work
  • SizeH 5.2 cm (2 in) x W 3.6 cm (1 in) x D 0.8 cm (0 in)

This Edo period Japanese bronze hikite door pull handle dates from circa 1850 and displays a recessed oval form with a textured gilded background and a raised bronze border. Two decorated butterflies appear on the face, created with vivid red, green, yellow and white enamel work alongside debossed indentations that simulate further insects beneath the surface. The piece exhibits an aged patina with dark, mottled wear across the gold leaf finish. Measuring 5.2 cm high, 3.6 cm wide and 0.8 cm deep, this small hardware item functions historically as a flush pull inset into sliding panels or cupboard doors. In a modern interior, it suits placement on a bookshelf, within a study or gentleman's library display, or as a decorative collector's cabinet accent.

FAQs

A hikite is a traditional Japanese recessed door fitting, designed to be set flush into sliding paper screens known as fusuma or wooden doors to facilitate opening and closing.

Antique hikite were crafted primarily from cast or hammered metals such as bronze, copper, iron, and brass, often accented with gold leaf gilding and shippo enamel inlay.

Authentic 19th-century pieces feature hand-carved or hand-moulded metalwork, irregular enamel application indicative of handwork, and genuine surface oxidisation or wear around the edges.

These decorative hardware fittings can be integrated into bespoke modern cabinetry, mounted inside shadow boxes as wall art, or displayed on metal stands as small accent objects.

Dust the item regularly using a soft, dry lint-free cloth, avoiding liquid solvents, metal cleaners, or abrasive polishes that could damage sensitive gilding and enamel work.
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