Cast iron compass rose guard
A peculiar cast iron sword guard, probably from the South China Seas area.
Nanban kogai & kozuka set (futakoromono)
The only set of its type known to me in both private and museum collections.
A sawasa hunting hanger
Sawasa is a copper-gold alloy that was patinated a "raven black" and then highlights were parcel-gilt.
An Indonesian blunderbuss
Of Chinese manufacture, traded widely and used gainst the Dutch during the Aceh Wars in 1873–1904.
Qing openwork saber guard
A very rare Chinese saber guard dating from the height of the Qing dynasty.
Chinese hùshǒu with lantsa script
A Chinese sword guard from the 18th century with a Buddhist mantra in lantsa script.
A Vietnamese Christian cross
Constructed out of dense hardwood and with fine mother-of-pearl inlays in the Vietnamese fashion.
A fine and unusual Dutch colonial gun
Based on the Dutch Beaumont mechanism, but with Indonesian twist forged barrel and golden inlays.
"South China Sea Guard"
Most likely used by the multi-cultural crews of pirate fleets that roamed the South China seas.
Kiyou-Toujin Tsuba
A Japanese style sword guard made in 17th century Nagasaki Chinatown.
House of Aviz tsuba
A Japanese sword guard with the cross of the House of Aviz.
A Korean sword guard
Adjusted for use on a Japanese sword.
Asian export sword guard
An interesting pierced iron Asian export sword guard that is part of a small group of guards that were made with a mu
Iron ship sword guard
A chiseled iron sword guard depicting a Dutch ship with a figure on its stern.
Sinhalese export sword guard
A large circular Asian export sword guard with elaborate decor carved in relief on both sides.
Fine Canton-style export sword guard
Introduction
Many Asian export sword guards, and later Japanese guards inspired by them, were modeled after
"Love of Lotus" Korean guard
Description
Korean ceremonial sabers of the Joseon dynasty are pretty small and often exhi
Asian export disc guard
The design, overlaid in silver, gold, and copper, over a crosshatched background shows dragon amongst clouds.
A Japanese nanban style tsuba
Description
An interesting little sword guard, of fairly simple form with designs carved i
Asian Export sword guard
A large imported "Canton" sword guard with paired dragons chasing a jewel.
A nanban kozuka / kogatana
Nanban kozuka are extremely rare, and this is a particularly fine example.
Chinese export sword guard
An iron openwork guard two dragons chasing a flaming pearl.
A nanban tsuba with Christian orb
A near round tsuba with beaded rim depicting two dragons in vegetal scrollwork.