**Originally Listed At $450**

East Asia, Japan, Edo Period, ca. late 18th to early 19th century CE. A fabulous forged-iron maru-gata (round) tsuba, a disc-shaped hand guard traditionally employed on Japanese swords. The decorative theme of the tsuba is that of two overlapping lovely fans visible from both sides - the fans with delineated fold marks, openwork surrounding their renderings, and decorative cloud-like openings to either side of the Nakago-ana (central blade opening). The surfaces are further embellished with gilding comprised of nearly pure gold (95% gold) in the form of curvilinear flourishes as well as woven motifs. The fan is a traditional Japanese motif used to decorate many types of Japanese artforms as well as Kimonos. Size: 3.25" in diameter (8.3 cm)

A tsuba is the hand guard of a traditional Japanese sword, usually a katana or tachi. Its primary purposes are to balance the sword, prevent one's hand from sliding down the blade and, as a last resort, as a block against an opponent's thrust or slash. However, as time and skills developed, the tsuba evolved into an artistic item and symbol representing wealth, prestige, or skills as a swordsman. Early tsuba, known as neri tsuba, were made of leather encased in an iron or wooden frame which was occasionally lacquered for strength and stability.

Lucite stand for photographic purposes and is not included.

Provenance: private southern California, USA collection, acquired before 2000.

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#159744

Expected surface wear commensurate with age with some wear/loss to gilding, but much remains. Otherwise in very nice condition with a rich patina.