λ A JAPANESE SHIBAYAMA-STYLE GOLD LACQUER TSUBA

λ A JAPANESE SHIBAYAMA-STYLE GOLD LACQUER TSUBA
MEIJI ERA, 19TH/20TH CENTURY

Of hira-kaku-gata (rectangular) shape, richly decorated with mother of pearl, coral and other inlays on a kinji gold-lacquer ground, mounted with a silver ring; one side embellished with a small frog by a stream, the amphibian wearing a lotus leaf-shaped hat and holding a fan, dancing under large prunus and hydrangea flowers, with small birds above; the reverse with a beauty and children in an interior, watching a sarumawashi (monkey-trainer) and a drummer performing, with a large screen in the background decorated with a colourful bird perched on a pine and with a red sun behind, 12.9cm.

Provenance: the collection of Miss Elizabeth Augusta Grosvenor Guest (1879-1960), grand-daughter of Richard Grosvenor, 2nd Marquess of Westminster (1795-1869), and grand-daughter of Lady Charlotte Guest (later Schreiber, 1812-95).

* This item is offered for sale in accordance with the Ivory Act 2018 and has been assigned an exemption certificate, Ref. No. 5XAXF1N7.