Jeff Olson
Director
Property from the Collection of Alan and Simone Hartman
Lot 159¤
FIVE MIXED-METAL TSUBA (HAND GUARDS) Edo period (1615-1868) and Meiji era (1868-1912), 19th to 20th century
31 March – 9 April 2025, 12:00 EDT
Online, New YorkSold for US$7,680 inc. premium
Looking for a similar item?
Our Japanese Art specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistAsk about this lot
Philip Hafferty
Specialist
FIVE MIXED-METAL TSUBA (HAND GUARDS)
Edo period (1615-1868) and Meiji era (1868-1912), 19th to 20th century
The first rounded rectangular with a hammered-up rim, shibuichi, chiseled in relief and inlaid in gold, silver, and shakudō with Taikōbō (in Chinese, Tai Gong Wang; also known as Jiang Ziya) seated fishing at a lakeshore using a rod with no hook, the reverse with King Wen's hunting encampment in the distance, signed Seiryōken Katsutoshi (not recorded in Haynes with these characters, but perhaps connected to Katsutoshi 02910, still alive in 1912) with a kaō (cursive monogram);
the second oval, shibuichi, chiseled and inlaid in gold and copper relief with the Chinese general Kan'u (Guan Yu) and a servant on horseback, with signature Ryōkan;
the third mokkō (four-lobed), copper, chiseled in bold relief and inlaid in gold, silver, and shakudō or shibuichi with a dragon with swords in its tail, a pearl, and clouds;
the fourth almost circular, shakudō migakiji, chiseled and inlaid in copper and gold relief with a shishi (mythical lion of Chinese origin), peonies, rocks, and a stream, with signature Rifūdō Shōzui;
the fifth circular, shakudō migakiji, chiseled and inlaid in gold and silver relief with Jurōjin holding a scroll on one side and a crane in flight on the reverse, signed with a gold seal Takeyoshi
3in (7.6cm) high, the first (5).
The first rounded rectangular with a hammered-up rim, shibuichi, chiseled in relief and inlaid in gold, silver, and shakudō with Taikōbō (in Chinese, Tai Gong Wang; also known as Jiang Ziya) seated fishing at a lakeshore using a rod with no hook, the reverse with King Wen's hunting encampment in the distance, signed Seiryōken Katsutoshi (not recorded in Haynes with these characters, but perhaps connected to Katsutoshi 02910, still alive in 1912) with a kaō (cursive monogram);
the second oval, shibuichi, chiseled and inlaid in gold and copper relief with the Chinese general Kan'u (Guan Yu) and a servant on horseback, with signature Ryōkan;
the third mokkō (four-lobed), copper, chiseled in bold relief and inlaid in gold, silver, and shakudō or shibuichi with a dragon with swords in its tail, a pearl, and clouds;
the fourth almost circular, shakudō migakiji, chiseled and inlaid in copper and gold relief with a shishi (mythical lion of Chinese origin), peonies, rocks, and a stream, with signature Rifūdō Shōzui;
the fifth circular, shakudō migakiji, chiseled and inlaid in gold and silver relief with Jurōjin holding a scroll on one side and a crane in flight on the reverse, signed with a gold seal Takeyoshi
3in (7.6cm) high, the first (5).
Footnotes
Provenance
The first, Christie's, London, June 9, 2004, lot 135