Artwork preview

Knife Handle (<i>Kozuka</i>) Depicting Shells on Beach (海辺に貝散図小柄)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Rectangular object with a gold border, depicting a beach scene. The scene shows a shoreline with shells and pebbles. The shells and pebbles are various shades of green, gray, and brown. The background of the scene is a mix of gold, black, and green. The object is likely made of metal and features a design created using a technique such as inlay or enameling. The object is long and narrow, resembling a handle.

Artwork details

Date:
18th–19th century
Medium:
Copper-gold alloy (<i>shakudō</i>), gold, brass, abalone shell
Culture:
Japanese
Dimensions:
600 × 450 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette