^Lot 1488 EXQUISITE EARLY JAPANESE TSUBA.

This brass/bronze rectangular tsuba has shows an applied tiger with black stripes and gold inlaid eyes & whiskers. It also appears to have a red enameled mouth interior. The same side also shows a gold inlaid person with hand out stretched opposite the tiger. Over the tiger & person is a gold inlaid pine branch. The reverse side of the tsuba shows an exceptionally well-articulated trunk of a pine tree, along with a gold inlaid spindly branch. The forest floor has a few rocks & gold highlighted flowers. CONDITION: tsuba has a wonderful rich mellow patina with no damage. PROVENANCE: From the Lifelong Collection of Glen E. Mattox. (02-18442-1/BF). $600-800.