Artwork preview

Knife Handle (Kozuka)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Dark brown rectangular object with a flat top and bottom. The object features a raised design of a dog chasing a serpent. The dog and serpent are gold-colored, and the dog appears to be jumping or running. The background of the design includes waves and bubbles, also in gold. Small gold dots are scattered throughout the design. The object has a wood grain texture. The background behind the object is light gray.

Artwork details

Date:
early 19th century
Medium:
Copper-silver alloy (shibuichi), copper-gold alloy (shakudō), gold
Culture:
Japanese
Dimensions:
599 × 337 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette