Artwork preview

Sword Guard (Tsuba)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Black metal sword guard with rounded edge and scalloped border. Two oval cutouts in center, one plain and one with a gold inlaid oval next to it. Several gold and silver inlays in various shapes, including snowflakes, flowers, and leaves.

Artwork details

Date:
1788–1875
Medium:
Copper-gold alloy (shakudō), silver, gold, copper-silver alloy (shibuichi), copper
Culture:
Japanese
Dimensions:
600 × 600 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette