Boxwood 'Tsuba'

[Spartancrest]

Check this unusual object. Pity the nakago-ana is upside down, it would have taken some time and effort to carve.

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/Japanese-Boxwood-Tsuba-Dragon-Decor-329-c-31540AF883?utm_source=inv_kwalert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=keywordalertlive&utm_term=2

[Grey Doffin]

How is it they can't tell a snake from a dragon?

Grey

[Spartancrest]

Do you think it is a Chinese netsuke?, they make a lot of fine carved fruitwood trinkets. It is an obviously anorexic 'Dragon' who has managed to lose all his limbs. 

[Surfson]

The nakago ana isn't upside down if it was made for a tachi. 

[Spartancrest]

I don't think it is old enough for a tachi and it has never been on a blade, Don't get me wrong though I like the work put into it. I have seen dozens of snake tsuba and virtually every one has the blade edge towards the snakes head. [probably some meaning in that?] - what it comes down to is, I want it but I can't afford it! 

[Surfson]

It is not a utilitarian object, I would think.  The mei is up, the snake is up, the ha is down.  It seems pretty clear that it is in a tachi configuration.

[Spartancrest]

Just an update back in 2007 a 'Bronze' guard of the same design turned up on Worthpoint. https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/Japanese-bronze-tsuba-1820353372

 

 Boxwood

[Steves87]

I would almost say the timber one was used as an original to cast from, very similar!