Artwork preview

Sword Guard (Tsuba)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Dark brown metal square object with rounded corners, featuring a central oval-shaped cutout. The object showcases symmetrical patterns on either side of the cutout, resembling a butterfly or moth with outstretched wings. Each butterfly or moth has a bulbous body and curved wings with radiating lines. The outer edges of the square display a second border with rounded protrusions. Small circular holes are scattered throughout the design. The object appears to be a sword guard, also known as a Tsuba, created by an unknown artist.

Artwork details

Date:
18th century
Medium:
Iron, copper
Culture:
Japanese
Dimensions:
600 × 600 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette