Sword Guard (Tsuba)

Cleveland Museum of Art

The image is a round, flat metal object with a dark brown color and a weathered appearance. The object is symmetrical and features a central, elongated oval-shaped hole. Surrounding the hole are two smaller oval-shaped areas. The object has a decorative design with curved lines and shapes, including what appear to be stylized leaves or flowers. The design is repeated around the object, creating a sense of symmetry. The background of the image is a gradient of black to gray. The object appears to be a sword guard, also known as a tsuba, which is a Japanese metal plate that protects the hand from an opponent's blade. The tsuba is attributed to an unknown artist.