Artwork preview

Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Hotei (布袋図鐔)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Round, dark brown metal object with cutout center in the shape of a triangle with rounded top and oval shape to the left. The object depicts a scene featuring three small figurines and a tree. The figurine on the right side is a large baby sitting on a branch. The branch has small gold beads and dark leaves on it. The bottom features two smaller figurines and a basket. The figurine on the bottom left wears a large hat and sits next to the basket. The figurine on the bottom right wears a robe and faces the sitting baby. The object has gold accents. The background of the object is dark brown. The background behind the object is white.

Artwork Details

Date
ca. 1810–50
Medium
Copper-silver alloy shibuichi), gold, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), copper
Culture
Japanese
Dimensions
600 × 600 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette