A shibuichi sukashi tsuba
Hamano School, probably 19th century
Carved and pierced in the form of a partly coiled snake, the eyes gilt, signed Gyonen rokujusan (aged 63), Hamano Masayuki. 7.6cm (3in).
Footnotes

鐔　蛇　銘「行年六十三　濱野政随」　19世紀頃

Provenance: John Harding, 1964.

The tsuba is accompanied by a certificate by Dr Kazutaro Torigoe, dated 1965, stating that it is the genuine work of Masayuki.