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Pair of Sword-Grip Ornaments (Menuki)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Two gold-colored metal ornaments, shaped like a bundle of sticks with flowers and leaves on top, are shown side by side. The ornaments are identical and symmetrical. Each has a cylindrical shape at one end that resembles a small bundle of sticks. The bundles have five sticks. The sticks are of even length and parallel to one another. The other end of each ornament is flat and wider, with a bundle of flowers and leaves. The flowers are of various sizes and shapes. Small circular flowers are clustered together. There are also larger flowers with more pronounced petals. The leaves are small and have a teardrop shape. The background is a solid light gray color. The ornaments cast a slight shadow on the background. They are likely Pair of Sword-Grip Ornaments by an unknown artist.

Artwork details

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