A Large Circular Kamakura-Bori Tsuba

UNSIGNED, MUROMACHI PERIOD (16TH CENTURY)

Details
A Large Circular Kamakura-Bori Tsuba
Unsigned, Muromachi period (16th Century)
Pierced with a dragonfly, the plate lightly carved in relief with a bridge, clouds and flowers, slightly raised rounded mimi
3 3/8in. (8.6cm.), thickness 2.5mm.
Literature
Torigoe, K, Tsuba Kanshoki, (Nihon Bunkyo Shuppan Kabushikigaisha, Okayama, 1964), p.31

Lundgren Collection, no. 4

Lot Essay

During the mid Muromachi period, battles were almost a part of everyday life. The demand for large quantities of swords was high and consequently so was the production of tsuba. Tsuba makers lived together working as a cottage industry and this example, being of a rare form and sensitive in design would have been specially ordered.

The term Kamakura-bori is derived from the method of lacquer carving known as tsuishu and tsuikoku which is seen in both black and red lacquer. For a similar piece, see Compton Sale, Part III, lot 2.

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