A First Class Pre-Edo Owari Tsuba with Custom Box

[sabi]

I'm already sure I'll regret this, but a major piece has come up in another hobby and I can't keep them all. 

 

As those who study and appreciate old iron know, Owari tsuba at this level don't surface often and this is a fantastic opportunity for one of our members to become its next caretaker.

 

This tsuba compasses everything that is excellent about Owari guards.  The motif is a strikingly bold and direct Matsukawabishi that has a beautifully martial feel.  Not too heavy or clumsy, the amount of air in the design is just right. 

 

Measures 7.8cm round and 6.2mm thick, which is even across the plate.  In my opinion, superior Owari tsuba tend to be those that are not dished towards the seppa dai and this one is no exception.  Condition is perfect and it retains its original form, not having been shaved for a kozuka or kogai at any point.  A custom box was lovingly made for it and is of course included.

 

The former owner had placed it in late Muromachi, and another esteemed member here who has studied it thinks the same.  I tend to lean towards early Momoyama given the design, but certainly splitting hairs either way - no doubt a pre-Edo example and one that coveys the aesthetic so highly prized by the bushi of the period.

 

I was sure I had pics of the reverse side only to find out I didn't after it had already gotten dark.  Will update the thread tomorrow accordingly.

 

$930 shipped to the USA, $960 international.  Payment to be made via PayPal F&F only.

 

Thanks for looking!

[sabi]

Pic of the ura, please let me know if you need additional images. 

 

[sabi]

Drop to $850 USA, $880 international 🙏👺

[sabi]

Final drop Black Friday sale on this one - $780 shipped USA / $810 international. This is valid through the weekend after which the tsuba will be withdrawn. 

 

I challenge you to find any Owari tsuba for sale at this level, let alone for this cheap.  Someone is going to get a fantastic guard for a steal.  Happy Thanksgiving! 

[kissakai]

So tempting!!!

 

[sabi]

56 minutes ago, kissakai said:

So tempting!!!

 

 

I was thinking it might be 😉, at this point even the box would run a significant portion of the total price 😂. 

 

And I forgot to mention, payments could be divided into two installments if needed.  I recently completed a sale with a buyer here using this method and it worked out well for both parties. 

[sabi]

Sold pending funds.