Tanto lacquer.Lotus in silver 8gold sentoku and shakudo Japan 19th century

This exceptional tanto is very original, unique in its kind, it represents a bundle of lotus flowers wrapped in a canvas. The mount is in silver, embossed for the leaves of the sheath and cast for the flower buds at both ends. The seppa are in shakudo and gold. Some elements in gilded bronze. The design of the sheath is unique, it is a perfect imitation of a fabric canvas. It is made of woven bamboo fibers covered with lacquer. The effect is striking, the impression of a real fabric is real, we know of nothing equivalent. The menuki are of even higher quality and in a completely different style. We believe that the patron of the tanto had them added to the artist's work. They are not signed which is unthinkable for works of this exceptional quality, they are in Sentoku and Shakudo inlaid with gold in 2 shades. The carving on the lapels of the guards' dress is a tour de force of the engraver, in fact this practically invisible detail was technically more complicated to achieve than all the rest, its perfect outline in the center of a curve on a rounded surface is of prodigy. The one who created this did not need to sign his work, he alone being capable of such a work. A specialist may perhaps know who it is, certainly one of the best goldsmiths of his time. The blade is incised with a dragon on each side, it is straight, it has not been ground but tempered. is barely visible, a good polishing would be desirable. It seems to be from the 19th century, the handle is chiseled with several characters which should give all the information (blacksmith, place and date) probably an excellent blacksmith.
For the buyer who is not interested in the menuki we can sell the Tanto without them or vice versa if a buyer is only interested in the menuki we can sell them alone. The price of the menuki is 3000€. They are easily disassembled because they fit together in the female-male principle.
Length approximately 28cm.
Condition: Small losses in the lacquer of the scabbard (see photos). Polishing blade. Frame in good condition. No restoration.