A RARE KAGAMIBUTA NETSUKE WITH A TSUBA LID DEPICTING BAT AND REISHIUnsigned, kagamibuta netsuke with wood, iron, silver and gilt copperJapan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)A rare kagamibuta netsuke ("mirror-lid" netsuke), the lid executed in the shape of an iron tsuba of five-lobed stylized reishi shape and with a closed hitsu. The tsuba shows a bat (komori) in gilt copper, symbolizing luck, above several reishi (longevity mushrooms), executed in gilt silver and copper, overall representing luck and a long life. The almost black, circular wood bowl has a striking texture. A very rare composition and an ideal netsuke for a swordsmith.A lot of kagamibuta were made by former metalwork artists, who specialized in making sword fittings, as the demand for these decreased and they were looking for new ways to ply their trade. This piece is a brilliant example of an unknown metalwork artist going back to his roots.DIAMETER 4.7 CMCondition: Very good condition, minor rust to the lidProvenance: Austrian private collection