Artwork preview

Knife Scabbard with Row of Birds

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Knife scabbard by an unknown artist, featuring a row of birds. The object is long and curved, resembling a scabbard, made of dark metal with visible signs of aging and wear. The surface appears weathered, with a mix of brown and green hues. A row of eight bird-like figures is evenly spaced along the top edge. Each bird figure has a simple design with a small head, a curved body, and a short tail. The body of the scabbard has a pattern of small circles and oval holes, giving it a decorative and possibly functional texture. There are no visible markings or embellishments beyond the bird figures and the textured surface. The background of the image is plain and light-colored.

Artwork details

Date:
7th–5th century BCE
Medium:
Bronze
Culture:
Northeast China
Dimensions:
600 × 354 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette