Nine iron sukashi (openwork) tsuba (sword guards)

Edo period (1615-1868), 17th to 19th century

Edo period (1615-1868), 17th to 19th century
Unsigned and circular except as noted, the designs as follows: the first, chrysanthemum flowers and leaves; the second, mulberry leaves (Tanabata Festival); the third, a goose and reeds; the fourth 24-lobed, pierce carved as a 12-petalled stylized chrysanthemum; the fifth modelled as a smooth dragon encircling the seppadai, signed Yasuchika; the sixth, a snowflake and bamboo, signed Echizen no ju Kinai saku (Made by Kinai of Echizen); the seventh, paulownia crests and tendrils; the eighth 32-lobed, with stylized leaves and birds; the ninth modelled and chased as a crane and minogame (bushy-tailed turtle) encircling the seppadai; with nine wood storage boxes. The smallest: 6.5cm (2 9/16in); the largest: 8.1cm (3 3/16in). (18).