Sword Guard (Tsuba) Depicting Two Dragons Chasing a Gem (玉追い双龍図南蛮鐔)

ca. 1615–1868

Not on view

This Nanban-tsuba (南蛮鐔) shows a a three-dimensional openwork (nikubori ji-sukashi) of two dragongs chasing after a gem, which is shown at the top center of the plate, all of which embedded into an arabesque design (karakusa). At the bottom center, a seal script character is shown on both sides which is highlighted in gold nunome-zōgan. One of the characters might be (嵩), possibly a reference to Mt. Song (Sōngshān, 嵩山), one of the Five Great Mountains of China. The two hitsu-ana (openings for scabbard accessories) are organically shaped from the design of the dragons and arabesques.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Sword Guard (Tsuba) Depicting Two Dragons Chasing a Gem (玉追い双龍図南蛮鐔)
Date: ca. 1615–1868
Culture: Japanese
Medium: Iron, gold, copper
Dimensions: H. 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm); W. 2 11/16in. (6.8 cm); thickness 3/16 in. (0.5 cm); Wt. 4.7 oz. (133.2 g)
Classification: Sword Furniture-Tsuba
Credit Line: Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
Object Number: 91.1.756
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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