Lot Essay
This is a rather unusual type of cast tsuba with brass inlay. From the iron plate and quality of the casting, it appears to be a mid-eighteenth century piece, perhaps manufactured by an independent artist.
Details
A DOUBLE DRAGON BRASS INLAY TSUBA
EDO PERIOD (CIRCA 1750)
The oval iron plate is deeply carved on both sides with a whirlpool design which covers most of the plate area. The rim is worked in brass inlay and is carved in the round with two dragons placed head to tail--height 8.6cm., width 8.4cm., thickness at center 5.25mm., at edge 9.5mm.
EDO PERIOD (CIRCA 1750)
The oval iron plate is deeply carved on both sides with a whirlpool design which covers most of the plate area. The rim is worked in brass inlay and is carved in the round with two dragons placed head to tail--height 8.6cm., width 8.4cm., thickness at center 5.25mm., at edge 9.5mm.
Provenance
W. L. Behrens collection
Literature
W. L. Behrens Collection Catalogue (1912), no. 983, pl. XII, p. 36.