Iron kawari gata tsuba, Japan, mid-Edo period (1603-1868) Of extraordinary form reminiscent of a skull and crossbones, the location of the eyes and nose in sukashi, with concave reverse. The signature Kōfu ju Masayoshi - 江府住正吉 is chiseled on the seppadai. 8 x 7.5 cm Provenance: - Former Nourhan Manoukian collection (1906-1993). By descent. - Mes Lair Dubreuil et Flagel sale, Poncetton Collection, 1929, lot 311. - Sale Me Baudoin, Collection Alexis Rouart, Hôtel Drouot, May 5 and 6, 1911, lot 162.