Sword guard, patinated copper, Japan, 1750-1820
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1750-1820
This tsuba is of patinated copper with a nanako (fish-roe) type of ground with a design in relief of flowers and grasses, some of which are gilt-decorated. This tsuba is in the style of the Goto school of metalworkers, the official makers of sword-fittings for the shogun's court. Many of these objects reached Europe, where they were eagerly collected. This unsigned tsuba was made in the early 19th century.
By the late 19th century tsuba had become redundant in Japan, but were avidly collected by westerners fascinated by a new art form that lent itself to the Victorian passion for collecting and cataloguing objects of interest. Purchased from Mr. H. Virtue Tebbs (St. John's Gardens, Notting Hill), accessioned in 1888. Made in Japan
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
- Patinated copper, with nanako ground and relief decoration in gilt, shakudo and copper
- Dimensions
- Height: 7.4 cm; Width: 6.6 cm; Depth: 0.5 cm (Dimensions checked: Measured; 18/01/1999 by sf)
Technical characteristics
- Place recorded
- Japan
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London collection record for this single object (sentences kept verbatim apart from removed sale or rarity wording); how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Candidate id
- vam-O77412
- Museum object name
- Sword guard
- Holding institution
- Victoria and Albert Museum, London
- Museum object number
- 1457-1888
- Museum system number
- O77412
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
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and dating against a specialist reference; this entry documents one recorded example.