Artwork preview

Saddle Axe

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Saddle Axe by artist, possibly attributed to European origin given the period aesthetic, features a large metal head with an ornate design. The head of the axe is primarily silver with ornate scrollwork and patterns covering most of its surface. The blade portion of the head is curved and appears sharpened. The top of the head, where it meets the handle, has a flat surface with a decorative border. The handle is made of wood and features a dark brown or black color with lighter brown accents. It appears to be wrapped in a material, possibly leather or cord, in a repeating pattern around the center and near the top. The handle tapers towards the end, which is rounded. The background of the image is a plain light gray color.

Artwork Details

Date
ca. 1725–50
Medium
Steel, wood, leather, gold
Culture
Iranian
Dimensions
599 × 330 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette