A fine shibuichi tsuba

Description:

Japan, signed: Seiryôken (Katsuhira) und kakihan, Meiji period, end of 19th c.
8,7 x 8,4 x 0.4 cm (0.25 cm mimi)
Tate-maru-gata. Shibuichi, on an ishime - ground iroe-taka-zogan and niku-bori in shibuichi, shakudo, gold, silver and aokin. On the front the depiction of three sake tasters, the reverse depicting a stream and a pine branch. Uchi-gaeshi-mimi.
From an old German private collection, published in: Günther Heckmann, ‘Tsuba’. H.U.B Verlag, Nürtingen, 1995, T 142
Seiryoken Katsuhira I. (1804 - 1886) was adopted by the engraver Hagiya inbei and worked for the samurai in Mito. He produced very decorative objects in the style of his master Jinbei, which complied with the taste of the day. Apart from his art of tsuba he was also known for his works of ikebana