Tsuba with abstract piercings

Saotome School (Japanese)

mid-late 17th century

Medium/TechniqueMain material: iron; surface treatment: tsuchime-ji; other metals: later shakudo plugs in design; copper sekigane; decorative technique: sukashi-bori

DimensionsOverall: 8.2 x 7.9 x 0.4 cm (3 1/4 x 3 1/8 x 3/16 in.)

Credit LineWilliam Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession number11.12181

On View

Not on view

ClassificationsArms and armor

Collections

Asia

ProvenanceBy 1911, purchased by William Sturgis Bigelow (b. 1850 - d. 1926), Boston [see note 1]; 1911, gift of Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: August 3, 1911)

NOTES:
[1] Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.