Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 13

Japanese Nanban Tsuba with Dragons, Edo Period, early 19th century, Japan

About the Item

A dramatic Japanese iron tsuba in the nanban (foreign) style, decorated with dragons and openwork and inlaid with silver and gold, Edo Period, early 19th century, Japan. The fantastic tsuba of circular form featuring a pair of writing dragons chasing a flaming gem. A single kanji character reading "song" below, in reference to Songshan, the sacred mountain located in China's Henan Province. The design of this tsuba seems to follow Chinese tradition, with the dragon having four toes instead of the traditional three for Japanese dragons and the reference to Songshan. The dragons are fancifully worked in three-dimensional openwork, nikubori ji-sukashi. They are inlaid with gold using the nunome zoagn technique. The same inlay technique has been used on the circular surround to inlay a silver coating. With a fitted kiri (paulownia) wood and silk tomobako, including an image of the tsuba to the exterior. Provenance: Michael Quigley, San Antonio, TX Size of tsuba only: 3" diameter
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 1.25 in (3.18 cm)Width: 4.5 in (11.43 cm)Depth: 4.5 in (11.43 cm)
  • Style:
    Edo (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Gold,Iron,Silk,Silver,Softwood,Forged,Gilt,Inlay
  • Place of Origin:
    Japan
  • Period:
    Early 19th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Early 19th century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor structural damages. Minor fading. In distressed to fair condition, with corrosion, pitting, and loss to the iron surround, including areas of rust. Wear and loss to the silver and gold gilding and inlay.
  • Seller Location:
    Austin, TX
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU894738400502
More From This SellerView All
  • Pair of Japanese Edo Period Parcel-Gilt Bronze Dragon Vases, Early 19th Century
    Located in Austin, TX
    A pair of well cast and dramatic Japanese parcel gilt bronze dragon vases, Edo period, early 19th century. The heavy bronze vases of pear shape, each with a single writhing dragon cast in high relief...
    Category

    Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Metalwork

    Materials

    Bronze

    Pair of Japanese Edo Period Parcel-Gilt Bronze Dragon Vases, Early 19th Century

    Pair of Japanese Edo Period Parcel-Gilt Bronze Dragon Vases, Early 19th Century

  • Japanese Bronze Usubata with Waves and Plovers, Edo Period, Mid-19th Century
    Located in Austin, TX
    An impressive Japanese cast bronze usubata, vessel for ikebana, in the form of a large conical vessel being supported by crashing waves and flying chidori. Edo Period, mid-19th centu...
    Category

    Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Metalwork

    Materials

    Bronze

    Japanese Bronze Usubata with Waves and Plovers, Edo Period, Mid-19th Century

    Japanese Bronze Usubata with Waves and Plovers, Edo Period, Mid-19th Century

  • Japanese Cast Bronze "Longevity" Mirror, Edo Period, 18th Century, Japan
    Located in Austin, TX
    A heavy and finely cast Japanese bronze mirror with longevity symbols, Edo Period, 18th century, Japan. The small, round mirror with high walls...
    Category

    Antique Late 18th Century Japanese Edo Metalwork

    Materials

    Bronze

    Japanese Cast Bronze "Longevity" Mirror, Edo Period, 18th Century, Japan

    Japanese Cast Bronze "Longevity" Mirror, Edo Period, 18th Century, Japan

  • Japanese Parcel Gilt Copper Hibachi, Edo Period, 18th Century, Japan
    Located in Austin, TX
    A sublime Japanese parcel gilt copper hand warmer, hibachi, with chrysanthemum design, Edo Period, 18th century, Japan. The hand warmer, called a...
    Category

    Antique 18th Century Japanese Edo Metalwork

    Materials

    Copper

    Japanese Parcel Gilt Copper Hibachi, Edo Period, 18th Century, Japan

    Japanese Parcel Gilt Copper Hibachi, Edo Period, 18th Century, Japan

  • Japanese Cloisonne Box, Meiji Period, Late 19th Century, Japan
    Located in Austin, TX
    A very fine and intricately decorated Japanese cloisonné box and cover, Meiji period, late 19th century, Japan. The lidded trinket or jewelry...
    Category

    Antique 1890s Japanese Meiji Metalwork

    Materials

    Brass, Copper, Enamel

    Japanese Cloisonne Box, Meiji Period, Late 19th Century, Japan

    Japanese Cloisonne Box, Meiji Period, Late 19th Century, Japan

  • Massive Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Vase, Late 19th Century, Japan
    Located in Austin, TX
    A very large Meiji period bronze vase, possibly for temple use, with high relief design and elephant head handles, late 19th century, Japan. Of baluster form and unusual size, yet ...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Vases

    Materials

    Bronze

    Massive Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Vase, Late 19th Century, Japan

    Massive Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Vase, Late 19th Century, Japan

You May Also Like
  • A Very Good 19th Century Iron & Mixed Metal Tsuba, Japan Edo Period (1603-1868)
    Located in Ottawa, Ontario
    A finely decorated iron & mixed metal tsuba, showing a dark-brown iron ground decorated in low relief with organic inspired motifs in gold, silver & copper.
    Category

    Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Metalwork

    Materials

    Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron

    A Very Good 19th Century Iron & Mixed Metal Tsuba, Japan Edo Period (1603-1868)

    A Very Good 19th Century Iron & Mixed Metal Tsuba, Japan Edo Period (1603-1868)

  • 19th Century Japanese Edo Period Bronze Gong
    Located in New York, NY
    Unique and impressive 19th century Japanese Toshogu shrine gong honoring Tokugawa leyasu, founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate that ruled from 1603 to 1867, known as the Edo period. Wi...
    Category

    Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Metalwork

    Materials

    Brass, Bronze

    19th Century Japanese Edo Period Bronze Gong

    19th Century Japanese Edo Period Bronze Gong

  • Japan medallions tsuba Tanaka school Edo period
    Located in PARIS, FR
    Ovoid-shaped (nagamarugata) iron tsuba hammered and chased with medallions. On one side, medallions of a dragon with gold highlights and a komainu (or shishi – lion dog guarding the ...
    Category

    Antique Mid-18th Century Japanese Metalwork

    Materials

    Gold, Iron

    Japan medallions tsuba Tanaka school Edo period

    Japan medallions tsuba Tanaka school Edo period

  • 19th Century Japanese Shibayama Inlaid Lacquer Tsuba
    Located in Los Angeles, CA
    19TH CENTURY JAPANESE SHIBAYAMA TSUBA WITH MOTHER OF PEARL INLAY AND GOLD LACQUER SIGNED. Dimensions Height: 3.5" Width: 4"
    Category

    Antique 19th Century Japanese Metalwork

    Materials

    Silver

    19th Century Japanese Shibayama Inlaid Lacquer Tsuba

    19th Century Japanese Shibayama Inlaid Lacquer Tsuba

  • 19th Century Tsuba Old Guard Of Japanese Katana
    Located in Marseille, FR
    19th Century Tsuba former Japanese Katana guard in bronze and gilding, diameter approximately 8 cm.
    Category

    Antique 19th Century Japanese Metalwork

    Materials

    Wrought Iron

    19th Century Tsuba Old Guard Of Japanese Katana

    19th Century Tsuba Old Guard Of Japanese Katana

  • Antique Japanese Tomyodai, Edo period
    Located in Point Richmond, CA
    Japanese Tomyodai, a temple light stand created of iron and copper in the upright form of the Tama (Buddhist flaming jewel) with 13 ringlet projections to...
    Category

    Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Metalwork

    Materials

    Copper, Iron

    Antique Japanese Tomyodai, Edo period

    Antique Japanese Tomyodai, Edo period

Recently Viewed

View All

More Ways To Browse

Antonio Gems
Cairoware Tray
Indo Persian Large Water Vessels
Decorative Wall Plate With Silver And Copper Inlays
Jade Budda
Japanese Silver Metal
19th Century Middle Eastern Dallah Arabic Coffee Pot
Antique Engraved Islamic Tray
Middle Eastern Tin Copper
Eternity Bands 475
Bronze Dancing Shiva Nataraja
Brass Wall Sconce 3 Light
Square Modern Area Rugs
Inlay Victorian Furniture
Art Glass And Brass Cabinet
Bronze Gilt Rococo
King Bed Bed Wood
Mid Century Marble Console Table
View All Popular Metalwork Searches