Lot Essay
This tsuba was originally made for a tachi and the orange branches of the design hang down when mounted in that style.
Details
A CLASSIC ONIN BRASS INLAY TSUBA
MUROMACHI PERIOD (CIRCA 1450)
The iron plate is inlaid on each side with cast brass and brass wire depicting mandarin orange (tachibana) and the hiki (sanbiki) crest (mon) employed by the Sakuma daimyo of Owari. The remaining inlay of brass depicts chrysanthemums, birds and dots of dew--height 8.5cm., width 8.4cm., thickness 2.5mm.
MUROMACHI PERIOD (CIRCA 1450)
The iron plate is inlaid on each side with cast brass and brass wire depicting mandarin orange (tachibana) and the hiki (sanbiki) crest (mon) employed by the Sakuma daimyo of Owari. The remaining inlay of brass depicts chrysanthemums, birds and dots of dew--height 8.5cm., width 8.4cm., thickness 2.5mm.
Literature
Southern California Token Kai (1964), no. 73, p. 45.
One Hundred Masterpieces (1992), no. 45.
One Hundred Masterpieces (1992), no. 45.