M238.  Elaborate iron sukashi tsuba with inlay, maybe Kenjo.  7.9 x 7.9 x .5 cm on the raised rim.  The nakago hitsu-ana is .9 x 2.4 cm.  Kenjo tsuba were made very fancy in late Edo to be used as gifts for high ranking government officials or important business people.  I can’t guarantee that this is a Kenjo but it sure fits the bill.  Stems, flowers, and leaves in copper, silver, and a lot of gold.  The raised rim was originally covered, both sides and edge, in gold filigree; most of the edge has lost its gold and the sides retain about 50%.  The inlay on the plate is nearly intact.  Quite a fine piece.  $775.

Someone has kindly sent the following.  There was an almost identical tsuba in the Carlo Minzino Collection sale at Sotheby’s in 1996.  They called it a Kiami iron tsuba and it sold for $1,265.  My price is still $775.