Artwork preview

Sword Guard (Tsuba)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Metal sword guard, circular with a teardrop-shaped hole in the middle. The guard is primarily gray with some darker areas. A raised figure on horseback on the right side, decorated with gold, black, and white. The horse is mostly black with gold details. The rider wears a black and gold uniform and a red and gold saddle. Trees with black leaves and gold veins are raised on the left and top. The background of the guard shows some engravings and small gold details. The background behind the guard is plain light grey. Sword Guard (Tsuba) by an unknown artist.

Artwork details

Date:
ca. 1615–1868
Medium:
Copper-silver alloy (shibuichi), gold, copper, copper-gold alloy (shakudō)
Culture:
Japanese
Dimensions:
600 × 600 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette