Artwork preview

Sword-Grip Ornaments (Menuki)

Gotō Tsūjō

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Two black metal sword-grip ornaments, menuki, with intricate designs resembling dragons or other mythical creatures. The ornaments are placed on a light gray background, one above the other, and are made of a dark, possibly iron or steel, material with a shiny finish. They have a textured, three-dimensional appearance with many small details and protrusions. The top ornament is positioned with its left side slightly raised, while the bottom one is angled with its right side elevated. Each ornament has a small metal loop protruding from its underside.

Artwork Details

Date
late 17th–early 18th century
Medium
Copper-gold alloy (shakudō)
Culture
Japanese
Dimensions
600 × 480 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
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Palette