Artwork preview

Sword Guard (Tsuba)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Dark gray, oval-shaped metal object with rounded edges. Central, elongated, white, tapered cutout. Two small, circular cutouts side by side at bottom. Textured surface with small, raised bumps and irregularities throughout. Small, gold-colored insect with large wings at bottom right. Small, gold-colored flowers and stems at bottom left. Small, gold-colored object resembling a cluster of cylinders at top right. Light gray background. Metal object titled "Sword Guard (Tsuba)" by an unknown artist.

Artwork Details

Date
1739–76
Medium
Iron, gold, copper, brass, silver
Culture
Japanese
Dimensions
600 × 600 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette