Tsuba with Imperial Paulownia Crests and Seals

Description This tsuba is a collaboration between two artists. The metalwork was done by Masayoshi and the enamel work was executed by a member of the Hirata school of cloisonné artists. Across both sides of the tsuba, various seals and flower crests are interspersed with Taoist symbols. On the front, the flower crests are paulownia.Versions of the paulownia crest were used by the Imperial family and high-ranking warrior families. On the reverse, the crests are cherry blossoms. The edge of the tsuba is gilded in gold.

Conservation

Date	Description	Narrative
4/18/1984	Treatment	cleaned

Exhibitions

• The Taste of Maryland: Art Collecting in Maryland 1800-1934. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. 1984.
• Japanese Cloisonne Enamels, Fisher Collection. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. 1989-1990.

Provenance Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Inscriptions [Signature] 七寶　平田作; [Transliteration] Shippo/Hirata saku; [Translation] The seven treasures/made by Hirata; [Signature] 壽翁; [Translation] Juo

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters