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Sword-Grip Ornaments (Menuki)

Gotō Mitsumori (Keijō)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Two long, thin, ornate metal pieces, likely made of bronze or brass, with a dark patina. The pieces are identical and have a similar design. They are placed horizontally, one above the other, on a light blue-grey background. Each piece has a rounded end on the left, a central section with a gold-colored ball and a flower or bow motif, and a curled vine-like design to the right. The ends of the pieces feature curved pointed shapes resembling leaves or petals. The metalwork is intricate, with a mix of smooth and textured surfaces. The overall appearance suggests that these are decorative elements, possibly from a sword or other object, created by Gotō Mitsumori (Keijō).

Artwork Details

Date
mid–late 18th century
Medium
Copper-gold alloy (shakudō), gold, silver
Culture
Japanese
Dimensions
600 × 480 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette