Artwork preview

Knife Handle (Kozuka)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Black and gold Kozuka knife handle with dragon design on top. The handle is long and rectangular. The top surface features a raised design. The design depicts a dragon in gold and black. The dragon has a curled, pointed tail and flames on its back. The dragon's body curves from the left side to the right. The dragon's head is on the right side. The handle has a thin gold border around the edges. The background of the handle is black with a textured surface. The background behind the handle is gray.

Artwork Details

Date
19th century
Medium
Copper-gold alloy (shakudō), gold, silver, copper-silver alloy (shibuichi)
Culture
Japanese
Dimensions
599 × 337 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette