An Extremely Rare Lacquer Tsuba (Hand Guard for a Dagger)

The mokko- shaped tsuba formed from layers of paper covered in dark grey-brown textured tetsusabi-nuri , the nakago-ana (main central opening for the blade tang) and hitsu-ana (smaller side slots for accessory tools stored in the scabbard) further lacquered to mimic the copper shims, each side finely ornamented in high relief silver takabori with highlighted lacquer details , the front side with Fukurokuju, God of Good Fortune and Longevity holding a rolled-up scroll inscribed Fukurokuju, the reverse with further symbols of longevity consisting of a tanchozuru (red-crested crane) in flight over two stalks of reishi fungus, signed in gold hiramaki-e Masayuki hori o tsukamatsuri kore tsuide Yokei tsukuru (Chiselled by Masayuki, subsequently made by Yokei).

Estimate:£1,500

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