An oval Tsuba Namban Art iron pierced decoration en relief “Confronted Dragons in Search of the Sacred Pearl” of Chinese influence, three pierced reserves “Christian Cross” Nipo-Portuguese - Edo period (1615-1868) 17th C. (2nd quarter) slight wear to the gilt Dimensões (altura x comprimento x largura) - 7,4 x 7 cm Notes: This tsuba is noteworthy for the subtlety with which its creator "disguised" the three Christian crosses were placed, attempting to avoid their perception and thus evade the persecutions prevalent in Japan at the time against those who professed the Catholic faith. Furthermore: "The design is of two dragons in Chinese style sculpted against a complex network of vines. This popular design was preferred by artists working in the port city of Nagasaki, in Hizen province, but later spread to other areas of Japan due to its popularity. Hizen artists were strongly influenced by the Sino-Tibetan aesthetic imported to Japan through merchants from Canton, a region in southeastern China with an important seaport. The condition, the fine details, and the three-dimensionality of the design are remarkable. The iron imported en masse by the Dutch through the international port of Nagasaki may have been used to forge the base plates of this tsuba set." - cf. https://www.tsubaotaku.com/galleries/tsuba-gallery-6 - accessed on 14-4-2026, at 14:28.