Tsuba with Dragon and Jewel

Description On the right side of the tsuba, the body of a gold dragon appears to emerge from the tsuba. Part of the body can also be seen on the reverse. At the top of the tsuba, the dragon holds a tide controlling jewel in its hand. Dragons were associated with water and the sea. The background of the tsuba is worked in a fish egg pattern ("nanako-ji"). This is part of a mounted set.

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

Inscriptions none

Credit Acquired by William T. or Henry Walters