A shakudo tsuba
Attributed to Yokoya Somin, Yokoya School, 18th century
Of oval form, carved in shishiaibori and takabori with a prancing shishi, its eyes gilt and one leg continuing on the reverse, signed Somin with elaborate inlaid copper and gilt seal Tomotsune.
7cm (2¾in).
FOOTNOTES
鍔　唐獅子　銘「宗珉　友常（壷印）」　18世紀

Provenance: J. C. Hawkshaw collection and thence by descent to the present owner.

Published and exhibited: Loan Exhibition held in London in aid of the British Red Cross, illustrated in the Catalogue, Japanese Art and Handicraft, London, 1915, no.731, pl.CXXXVII.