Sword Guard (Tsuba)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Dark brown metal object, rounded shape with three central oval-shaped holes of decreasing size, from left to right. The two outer holes are identical. Gold streaks across surface, varying in thickness and length. Several seashells depicted on lower half. Left of center, two dark-colored scallop-type shells stacked on top of each other. Right of center, one gold-colored shell, similar in shape to the dark-colored shells, to the left of two smaller oval-shaped objects. Top of object features an indistinguishable shape, with a tall, thin structure rising from the center. Object appears to be made of metal, likely iron, with visible texture and wear. Surface is predominantly dark brown with gold accents. The artist is unknown but the title of the object is Sword Guard (Tsuba).