Artwork preview

Tusk with Shishi

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The image shows a curved, yellowish-white tusk with a silver decoration on the left side. The tusk is positioned horizontally, with the left end pointing towards the left side of the image and the right end pointing towards the right side. The tusk has a smooth surface with some darker spots and marks. On the left side of the tusk, there is a silver decoration in the shape of a mythical creature, possibly a shishi. The creature appears to be lying down or sitting, with its head facing downwards. It has a long snout and what appear to be flames or fur around its body. The silver decoration is intricately detailed, with visible textures and patterns. The background of the image is a plain gray color, which helps to highlight the details of the tusk and the silver decoration. Overall, the image presents a clear and detailed view of the tusk and its decoration, allowing for a good understanding of their shape, texture, and design. The title of this piece is "Tusk with Shishi", by an unknown artist.

Artwork Details

Date
first half 19th century
Medium
Ivory
Culture
Japan
Dimensions
599 × 352 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette