Lot Essay
This style of Ming dynasty inlay was very popular in the early to mid-Edo period (1650-1750) in both Hizen and in the Kyoto area.
Details
A HIZEN SCHOOL TSUBA
EDO PERIOD (CIRCA 1750)
The thick, octagon-shaped iron plate is overlaid with gold and silver damascene (nunome) in a border pattern of keyfret design and the web is decorated in scroll work with two dragons pursuing the celestial pearl. The reverse is similarly decorated with keyfret and scroll work together with scholarly attributes in gold and silver. Both hitsu-ana are plugged in shakudo--height 7.3cm., width 6.8cm., thickness 5.5mm.
EDO PERIOD (CIRCA 1750)
The thick, octagon-shaped iron plate is overlaid with gold and silver damascene (nunome) in a border pattern of keyfret design and the web is decorated in scroll work with two dragons pursuing the celestial pearl. The reverse is similarly decorated with keyfret and scroll work together with scholarly attributes in gold and silver. Both hitsu-ana are plugged in shakudo--height 7.3cm., width 6.8cm., thickness 5.5mm.