Japanese Edo Iron Tsuba, Gilt Flowers & Lion-Dog Motif
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 19th century CE.
East Asia, Japan, Edo to early Meiji era, ca. 19th century CE. An iron tsuba sword guard of rounded rectangular form, decorated in relief with gilt and silver-washed motifs of flowering plants and a lively komainu (lion dog) striding along the lower edge.
The dark iron ground provides contrast to the mixed-metal inlay, highlighting the layered petals, leaves, and expressive features of the guardian beast. Size: 3.2" L x 3" W (8.1 cm x 7.6 cm); gold quality: 4% to 19% (1K to 4K+) Item # 199447 Ca. 1800–1900 CE private Sheffield, Massachusetts, USA collection Some fading and rubbing to gilt and silver areas.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Material (listing wording)
- iron tsuba
- Dimensions or weight (listing wording)
- 3.2" L x 3" W (8.1 cm x 7.6 cm)
Identification
- Source note
- Auction-house description published on Invaluable. Attribution and measurements are the auction house’s statements about the photographed example; independent type authentication remains research required.
- Listing object ID
- 206423313
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Independent confirmation of type attribution and auction-house statements remains research required.