Russet iron, one-piece construction with decorative grooves.
Dimensions
75 x 72 x 5.3 mm
Weight
114 grams
Materials
Iron, gold, silver
Origin
Chinese workers in China or Nagasaki
Dating
17th or 18th century
Provenance
Imported from Japan
Price €2000, -
Introduction
Among nanban tsuba and Asian export sword guards, there is a clearly distinct group of sword guards that are typically rather well made, and usually show foreigners mixed with Chinese subjects. They are either of aoi-gata (hollyhock form) or circular to oval, with beaded rims.
I believe these were made in China, or at least by Chinese craftsmen, for the Japanese market. There is also a possibility they were made in the sizeable Chinese community in Nagasaki Chinatown.
A group of sword guards that are clearly from this school.
This example
Unusual tsuba with foreign figures and Chinese auspicious symbols.
€1800,-