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Pair of Sword-Grip Ornaments (Menuki)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Pair of Sword-Grip Ornaments (Menuki) by artist. Two small metal ornaments, likely made of brass or bronze with a gold-colored finish, featuring figurines of men. The figurines are depicted in a squatting position, with their knees bent and feet tucked under their bodies. The top figurine has one arm raised, while the other arm is bent at the elbow and rests on the knee. The bottom figurine has both arms bent at the elbows, with one hand near the mouth and the other near the knee. Both figurines have distinct facial features, including large eyes, noses, and mouths. The ornaments have a textured surface, with visible details such as clothing and hair. The background of the image is a plain gray color.

Artwork details

Date:
18th century
Medium:
Gold, silver
Culture:
Japanese
Dimensions:
600 × 480 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette