Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Swallowtail Butterflies (揚羽蝶図鐔)

Metal object, rounded shape with wavy edge, dark gray color with lighter gray and gold details. Two swallowtail butterflies depicted, one on top right and one on bottom left. Butterflies have textured wings with veins visible, bodies and antennae also detailed. Central cutout, elongated teardrop shape. Background of object has textured, mottled appearance. Object appears to be a sword guard, known as a tsuba.