Sword Guard (Tsuba) Depicting Shishi Lion and Elephant (獅子象図鐔)

Japanese

Not on view

This tsuba shows on its obverse two medallion-style elements in relief, one shishi lion and one elephant, which are partly highlighted in gold and copper. The reverse shows towards the bottom left the relief of a partially gilded seal that bears the two characters of the artist’s name, Munechika. Both sides are further decorated with engravings of a disconnected hexagonal kikkō pattern that features some gold highlights. Munechika was a student of the Tsuchiya (土屋) School. There exists a dated work from Bunkyū three (文久, 1863).

Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Shishi Lion and Elephant (獅子象図鐔), Iron, gold, copper, Japanese

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Obverse

Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Shishi Lion and Elephant (獅子象図鐔), Iron, gold, copper, Japanese
Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Shishi Lion and Elephant (獅子象図鐔), Iron, gold, copper, Japanese

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