SOMEYA KAZUNOBU: A FINE SENTOKU TSUBA WITH TIGER
By Someya Kazunobu (active ca. 1848-1850), signed Someya KaznobuJapan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)A sentoku tsuba of marugata shape, decorated in high relief in the front with a tiger inlaid in shibuichi with a gilt eye – the fur coat of the tiger is marvelously expressed. The animal has one paw placed on the egde of a cliff, above a stream of silver inlaid water. The reverse continues the image showing the the tail of the tiger next to rockwork. Signed in the front between the kozuka hitsu-ana and the nakago-ana SOMEYA KAZUNOBU.SIZE 7 x 6.5 cmCondition: Very good condition with little surface wear. There is a minor imperfection to the inlay by the tiger’s eye.Provenance: Old French private collection.