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ID #SA1144370
FOR SALE
£1,250
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Rare Cloisonne Enamel Tsuba. Japanese Folklore. Circa 1880.
Dragoncharger Antiques
for sale €1,463     $1,588
£1,250

Dragoncharger Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Aug 2024
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    Specialising in early japanese cloisonne, edo enamel artisan period.
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Id #SA1144370
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Rare Cloisonne Enamel Tsuba. Japanese Folklore. Circa 1880.

19th century
Description

Rare Cloisonne Enamel Tsuba. Japanese Folklore, most likely depicting Sakata no Kintoki*. Circa 1880.

Extremely well depicted folklore rendition of Sakata no Kintoki, searching for the "Tsuchigumo" or Earth Spider. Pictured with great strength and fighting within the spiders web, symbolic of early Japanese folklore. Superb and extremely rare.

Condition: Unrestored original and authentic condition, with very slight surface scratches. Very small area of enamel imperfection - shown in photos. This particular tsuba seemingly undocumented.

Dimensions: (very slight oval form). Approx:

Height = 8.3cm.

Width = 7.9cm.

Thickness = 4mm.

For reference: Last picture in woodblock print Katsukawa Shun’ei (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston) very similar artwork [not included in this sale].

*Sakata no Kintoki, whose 10th-century exploits became the stuff of legend, was one of the four strongest retainers of the general Minamoto no Raikou. On the orders of Raikou, Kintoki is said to have overcome the demons of Mt. Oe near Kyoto. As a child, Kintoki, then called Kintaro, was unusually strong. A very popular symbol in rural Japan, Kintaro is widely considered a champion and protector of the common folk, slaying demons and evil beings that could endanger their posterity.

Physical Dimensions
Height
8.3cm (3.27")
Width
7.9cm (3.11")
Depth
0.4cm (0.16")
Declaration

Dragoncharger Antiques has dated this Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Tsuba to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1144370
Dealers Internal Reference
D:06446
Description
Rare Cloisonne Enamel Tsuba. Japanese Folklore, most likely depicting Sakata no Kintoki*. Circa 1880.
“
Extremely well depicted folklore rendition of Sakata no Kintoki, searching for the "Tsuchigumo" or Earth Spider.
Dragoncharger Antiques

Pictured with great strength and fighting within the spiders web, symbolic of early Japanese folklore. Superb and extremely rare.

fig 1. A circular Japanese cloisonne enamel tsuba featuring an intricate figure from folklore set against a dark ground with a central gilt opening.
fig 1. Rare Cloisonne Enamel Tsuba. Japanese Folklore. Circa 1880.

Condition: Unrestored original and authentic condition, with very slight surface scratches. Very small area of enamel imperfection - shown in photos. This particular tsuba seemingly undocumented.

Dimensions: (very slight oval form). Approx:

fig 2. A circular Japanese cloisonne enamel tsuba featuring an intricate figure from folklore set against a dark ground with a central gilt opening.
fig 2. Rare Cloisonne Enamel Tsuba. Japanese Folklore. Circa 1880.

Height = 8.3cm.

Width = 7.9cm.

Thickness = 4mm.

For reference: Last picture in woodblock print Katsukawa Shun’ei (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston) very similar artwork [not included in this sale].

Sakata no Kintoki, whose 10th-century exploits became the stuff of legend, was one of the four strongest retainers of the general Minamoto no Raikou. On the orders of Raikou, Kintoki is said to have overcome the demons of Mt. Oe near Kyoto. As a child, Kintoki, then called Kintaro, was unusually strong. A very popular symbol in rural Japan, Kintaro is widely considered a champion and protector of the common folk, slaying demons and evil beings that could endanger their posterity.

Height
8.3cm (3.27")
Width
7.9cm (3.11")
Depth
0.4cm (0.16")
Date of Manufacture

Dragoncharger Antiques has dated this Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Tsuba to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1144370
Dealers Internal Ref
D:06446
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 Japanese cloisonne enamel tsuba featuring an intricate figure from folklore set against a dark ground with a central gilt opening.
1 / 15
Archive I A circular Japanese cloisonne enamel tsuba featuring an intricate figure from folklore set against a dark ground with a central gilt opening.

Rare Cloisonne Enamel Tsuba. Japanese Folklore. Circa 1880.

Archive II A circular Japanese cloisonne enamel tsuba featuring an intricate figure from folklore set against a dark ground with a central gilt opening. View II
Archive III A circular Japanese cloisonne enamel tsuba featuring an intricate figure from folklore set against a dark ground with a central gilt opening. View III
Archive IV A circular Japanese cloisonne enamel tsuba featuring an intricate figure from folklore set against a dark ground with a central gilt opening. View IV
Archive V A circular Japanese cloisonne enamel tsuba featuring an intricate figure from folklore set against a dark ground with a central gilt opening. View V
Archive VI A circular Japanese cloisonne enamel tsuba featuring an intricate figure from folklore set against a dark ground with a central gilt opening. View VI
Archive VII A circular Japanese cloisonne enamel tsuba featuring an intricate figure from folklore set against a dark ground with a central gilt opening. View VII
Archive VIII A circular Japanese cloisonne enamel tsuba featuring an intricate figure from folklore set against a dark ground with a central gilt opening. View VIII
Archive IX A circular Japanese cloisonne enamel tsuba featuring an intricate figure from folklore set against a dark ground with a central gilt opening. View IX
Archive X A circular Japanese cloisonne enamel tsuba featuring an intricate figure from folklore set against a dark ground with a central gilt opening. View X
Archive XI A circular Japanese cloisonne enamel tsuba featuring an intricate figure from folklore set against a dark ground with a central gilt opening. View XI
Archive XII A circular Japanese cloisonne enamel tsuba featuring an intricate figure from folklore set against a dark ground with a central gilt opening. View XII
Archive XIII A circular Japanese cloisonne enamel tsuba featuring an intricate figure from folklore set against a dark ground with a central gilt opening. View XIII
Archive XIV A circular Japanese cloisonne enamel tsuba featuring an intricate figure from folklore set against a dark ground with a central gilt opening. View XIV
Archive XV A circular Japanese cloisonne enamel tsuba featuring an intricate figure from folklore set against a dark ground with a central gilt opening. View XV
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 Japanese cloisonne enamel tsuba featuring an intricate figure from folklore set against a dark ground with a central gilt opening.
Rare Cloisonne Enamel Tsuba. Japanese Folklore. Circa 1880.
Ref: SA1144370
A circular Japanese cloisonne enamel tsuba featuring an intricate figure from folklore set against a dark ground with a central gilt opening.
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FAQs

A tsuba is the hand guard fitted to Japanese swords such as the katana. During the Meiji period in the late 19th century, artisans adapted traditional metalworking techniques to create elaborate cloisonne enamel tsuba, primarily aimed at international collectors and export markets.

These sword guards were typically constructed using a copper or bronze base plate. Fine wire cloisons were soldered onto the metal surface to form outline designs, which were then filled with coloured vitreous enamel pastes before being fired, ground smooth, and fitted with gilt bronze borders.

Authentic pieces display precise metal wirework forming tiny enamel cells, along with characteristic micro-pitting or slight surface irregularities from historical hand-polishing. Examination of the central nakago-ana aperture, edge gilding, and signs of natural patination help verify genuine late Meiji construction.

Small sword guards are frequently displayed on custom acrylic or metal stands inside glass vitrines, mounted on framed velvet backdrops, or styled on bookshelves alongside historical volumes and decorative Asian works of art.

Cloisonne enamel should be kept in a climate-controlled environment away from sudden temperature shifts and moisture to prevent cracking or metal oxidation. Clean delicate enamelling using a dry, lint-free microfibre cloth, avoiding liquid polishes or abrasive chemicals.
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