Edo Period Soft Metal Tsuba, Spring Flowers on Nanako
May 2013 Auction by Far East Asian Art

A small Japanese, Edo period bronze tsuba. Extensive traces of gilt remaining. Beautiful handiwork depicts a variety of blooming Spring flowers against a nanako (fish roe texture) ground. Patina rubbed, revealing the color of high copper content bronze. Extensive gilding remains on the blooms and leaves of the flowers but mostly worn from the rim. About 2 5/8 inches (6.67 cm) long. About 2 1/2 inches (6.35cm) wide. Little more than 1/8 inch (.33 cm) thick...