Chōshū school tsuba with ivy motif, 19th century.
$980
For Sale
An iron tsuba of slightly vertically elongated circular form carved and pierced with a mass of ivy (tsuta) leaves and tendrils, details damascened with gold in nunome-zōgan technique. Hitsu-ana with raised rim.
Unsigned.
Chōshū school.
Height: 72.0 mm; width: 69.0 mm; thickness: 4.7 mm; Weight: 92 g.
According to John W. Dower, "ivy bears fairly close resemblance to both maple leaf and grape leaf". However, I consider this tsuba decorated with ivy leaves for several reasons, such as the lack of racemations in the presence of tendrils.
Additional Information
| Collection | Japanese swords & fittings |
|---|---|
| Type / Purpose | Tsuba |
| Country | Japan |
| Period | 19 AD , Edo period [江戸時代] (1603–1868) |
| School | Chōshū School |
| Media/Technique | Carving , Nunome-zōgan , Sukashi |
| Material | Gold , Iron |
| Acquisition year | 2014 |