Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Legendary Chinese Horse Doctor Mâshi Húang (馬師皇図鐔)

Brown oval-shaped metal object with rounded edges. Cut out center resembles a stretched teardrop. Gold and silver relief designs. Top left: gold dragon-like creature emerging from clouds and waves. Top right: gold flames or fire. Bottom left to center: gold foliage and berries along bottom edge. Right side: silver horse standing on hind legs, front legs bent, facing left. Rider on horse wearing a hat. Gold seal or signature on left side. Background is plain white.

Artwork details

Date:: early 19th century
Medium:: Copper-silver alloy (shibuichi), copper-gold alloy (shakudō), gold, silver, copper
Culture:: Japanese
Dimensions:: 600 × 600 px
Museum record:: View original