A shakudo tsuba Nara School, 18th century Of circular form, carved on the face with two disporting shishi (Chinese mythological lion dogs) in shishiaibori (sunken relief carving) and engraved in katakiribori (engraving with an angled chisel emulating brushstrokes) on the reverse with a windblown peony; signed Masanaga with a kao. 7.6cm (3in). Footnotes: リザーブ設定無し 鐔　牡丹唐獅子　銘「正長（花押）」　18世紀 Provenance: Roland Hartman collection, purchased at Christie's, London, 1976. For the maker, a student of Nara Toshinaga, see Haynes, Index, no.H.04250. The Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art: Part I, lot 37. www.bonhams.com/auctions/18493/lot/37/ Lot to be sold without reserve. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com