Interesting Mixed-Metal and Enamel Tsuba

[terminus]

Saw this tsuba pop up for auction and thought it was quite interesting as it's a combination of mixed metal and enamel. Usually It's either just enamel or just mixed metal but not both: https://auctionet.com/en/1958835-hidemasa-a-Japanese-mixed-metal-and-enamel-tsuba

Also there's some strange tiny square indentations on it. Does anyone know what those are?

[Rivkin]

That's a platter holder utilized to hold tsuba. By the looks of it, a good late Meiji work, maybe someone associated with godai (tokyo university of art) - too lazy to check the signatures etc. etc.. Those are not completely traditional but nice in their own kind.

[ChrisW]

Its a very attractive piece.

[Shugyosha]

Very well done, but too twee for me.

 

[Bazza]

Terminus asked:

> Also there's some strange tiny square indentations on it. Does anyone know what those are?

 

An indenter hardness test???!!!

 

BaZZa.

[ROKUJURO]

Looking at that NAKAGO-ANA which makes the item completely dysfunctional for a use as TSUBA, I have never seen that except in Chinese copies.

[Geraint]

Dear Jean.

 

It's a shape sometimes encountered in very late tsuba type objects made for export, some Shibayama tsuba show it.  Which confirms your assessment that it was never intended to be functional.

 

 

All the best.

[terminus]

It's definitely not functional and Meiji era export/art piece. The elaborate enamel and massive size are the first give away. 

 

6 hours ago, Bazza said:

Terminus asked:

> Also there's some strange tiny square indentations on it. Does anyone know what those are?

 

An indenter hardness test???!!!

 

BaZZa.

Yea, did you see those tiny square indents in the tsuba? very strange I've never seen them before.