Artwork preview

Sword Guard (Tsuba)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Circular metal object with a dark brown patina. Central oval-shaped opening with a horizontal copper-colored piece across the bottom, resembling a handle. The circle around the oval is decorated with raised metal flowers and buds, possibly cherry blossoms, with yellow centers. The flowers and buds are attached to raised metal branches. The background of the image is light gray.

Artwork details

Date:
early 19th century
Medium:
Iron, gold, copper
Culture:
Japanese
Dimensions:
600 × 600 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette