^Lot 1716 VISUALLY IMPRESSIVE JAPANESE TANTO WITH DRAGON

EFFIGY TSUKA AND SAYA. This artistically rendered tanto is likely from Japan or one of its neighboring islands. It measures 16" overall with a 10 1/2" blade and a gilded brass habaki. There is a small tsuba made of an organic white material and the carved wooden dragon head tsuka has organic white horns and fangs. The dragons eyes are painted glass and present a piercing stare. The saya is the wooden and lacquered paper mache body of the dragon with white organic highlights. There is a carved wooden koiguchi with a white organic insert. CONDITION: The blade retains a good polish and the tsuka shows light wear. The saya has drying cracks in a few places and some of the paper mache has flaked away. (02-25817/BF). $400-600.