A NARA SCHOOL COPPER AND SHIBUICHI TSUBA WITH A WRITHING SNAKE Japan, 19th century Of tate-maru-gata form, with one hitsu, one side finely chiseled and inlaid with shibuichi depicting a snake writhing through craggy rockwork by a stream. With an associated wood tomobako (storage box). HEIGHT 6.9 cm, WIDTH 6.2 cm WEIGHT 114 g Condition: Excellent condition with only minor surface wear. Provenance: German private collection. Auction comparison: Compare a related tsuba, but of mokko form, slightly larger, and with a signature, at Bonhams, The Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art Part I, 9 November 2010, London, lot 38 (sold for 1,800 GBP).