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ID #SA1143581
FOR SALE
£975
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Japanese Tsuba with "Dragon - Pearl" in High Relief. Edo Period.
Dragoncharger Antiques
for sale €1,141     $1,238
£975

Dragoncharger Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Aug 2024
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  • About Us
    Specialising in early japanese cloisonne, edo enamel artisan period.
Id #SA1143581
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Japanese Tsuba with "Dragon - Pearl" in High Relief. Edo Period.

19th century
Description

Japanese Iron Tsuba Guard with dragons chasing and holding pearls. In extremely high relief. Circa 1800. Possibly earlier.

Fine detailing of dragons circling and chasing pearls in swirling clouds, and finally catching the pearl within its three-toed claws. A clever design with the dragon seemingly moving through the Tsuba guard. Elaborate and intricate details. Excellent craftsmanship with rare Nanako surface (The Japanese name for punched, dotted surface finishes on metal).

Condition: Unrestored original / authentic condition. Some minor rubbing to the highest points of the 'raised' relief, with some gold wash still remaining. Some minor dings to edges commensurate with actual sword (Katana) use.

Dimensions: (very slight oval form).

Height = 8.0cm.

Width = 7.5 cm.

Thickness = 3- 4mm.

* The pearl is often associated with wisdom, power, and the dragon's ability to control the tides.

Physical Dimensions
Height
8cm (3.15")
Width
7.5cm (2.95")
Depth
0.4cm (0.16")
Declaration

Dragoncharger Antiques has dated this Edo Period Japanese Tsuba to the 1800s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1143581
Dealers Internal Reference
D:00643
Description
Japanese Iron Tsuba Guard with dragons chasing and holding pearls. In extremely high relief. Circa 1800. Possibly earlier.
“
Fine detailing of dragons circling and chasing pearls in swirling clouds, and finally catching the pearl within its three-toed claws.
Dragoncharger Antiques

A clever design with the dragon seemingly moving through the Tsuba guard. Elaborate and intricate details. Excellent craftsmanship with rare Nanako surface (The Japanese name for punched, dotted surface finishes on metal).

fig 1. A circular metallic Japanese sword guard featuring a high-relief dragon amongst swirling clouds with central cutouts.
fig 1. Japanese Tsuba with "Dragon - Pearl" in High Relief. Edo Period.

Condition: Unrestored original / authentic condition. Some minor rubbing to the highest points of the 'raised' relief, with some gold wash still remaining. Some minor dings to edges commensurate with actual sword (Katana) use.

Dimensions: (very slight oval form).

Height = 8.0cm.

Width = 7.5 cm.

Thickness = 3- 4mm.

The pearl is often associated with wisdom, power, and the dragon's ability to control the tides.

Height
8cm (3.15")
Width
7.5cm (2.95")
Depth
0.4cm (0.16")
Date of Manufacture

Dragoncharger Antiques has dated this Edo Period Japanese Tsuba to the 1800s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1143581
Dealers Internal Ref
D:00643
Dragoncharger Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Aug 2024

Specialising in early japanese cloisonne, edo enamel artisan period.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Dragoncharger Antiques Profile Page

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A circular metallic Japanese sword guard featuring a high-relief dragon amongst swirling clouds with central cutouts.
1 / 10
Archive I A circular metallic Japanese sword guard featuring a high-relief dragon amongst swirling clouds with central cutouts.

Japanese Tsuba with "Dragon - Pearl" in High Relief. Edo Period.

Archive II A circular metallic Japanese sword guard featuring a high-relief dragon amongst swirling clouds with central cutouts. View II
Archive III A circular metallic Japanese sword guard featuring a high-relief dragon amongst swirling clouds with central cutouts. View III
Archive IV A circular metallic Japanese sword guard featuring a high-relief dragon amongst swirling clouds with central cutouts. View IV
Archive V A circular metallic Japanese sword guard featuring a high-relief dragon amongst swirling clouds with central cutouts. View V
Archive VI A circular metallic Japanese sword guard featuring a high-relief dragon amongst swirling clouds with central cutouts. View VI
Archive VII A circular metallic Japanese sword guard featuring a high-relief dragon amongst swirling clouds with central cutouts. View VII
Archive VIII A circular metallic Japanese sword guard featuring a high-relief dragon amongst swirling clouds with central cutouts. View VIII
Archive IX A circular metallic Japanese sword guard featuring a high-relief dragon amongst swirling clouds with central cutouts. View IX
Archive X A circular metallic Japanese sword guard featuring a high-relief dragon amongst swirling clouds with central cutouts. View X
Enlarged Archival View

Dragoncharger Antiques
Telephone 07974 144321
Location
Bristol
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/dragonchargerantiques
Verified Since Aug 2024
Items For Sale 150
Items Sold 17
Dragoncharger Antiques
Verified Since Aug 2024
View Dealer Info
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/dragonchargerantiques
Verified
Aug 2024
For Sale
150
Sold
17
A circular metallic Japanese sword guard featuring a high-relief dragon amongst swirling clouds with central cutouts.
JAPANESE TSUBA WITH "DRAGON - PEARL" IN HIGH RELIEF. EDO PERIOD.
Ref: SA1143581
A circular metallic Japanese sword guard featuring a high-relief dragon amongst swirling clouds with central cutouts.
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FAQs

A tsuba is the handguard attached to traditional Japanese bladed weapons, such as the katana, designed to protect the users hand and balance the weapon. Dragon motifs gained widespread popularity during the Edo period (16031867), representing power, wisdom, and protection in classical Japanese iconography.

Tsuba were typically forged from iron, copper, or alloys such as shakudo and shibuichi, often decorated with gold, silver, or bronze gilding. Craftspeople employed relief carving, chasing, and patination techniques to produce detailed relief sculptures on a compact metal disc.

Authentic Edo period tsuba display natural age patination, sharp metalwork chiselling, and precise opening cutouts (nakago-ana and hitsu-ana) tailored for specific sword components. Original examples show evidence of hand forging, subtle wear along the rim, and historical oxidation consistent with their age.

Antique tsuba are frequently presented on bespoke wooden or acrylic stands positioned on bookshelves, office desks, or inside glass display cabinets. They can also be mounted within shadow-box frames as minimalist, tactile wall art.

Maintain the tsuba in a dry, low-humidity environment to prevent active corrosion or rust. Dust lightly with a soft microfibre cloth and avoid abrasive polishes, applying a thin coating of microcrystalline wax or traditional choji oil to protect the surface patina.
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