Sword Guard (Tsuba) Depicting Two Gibbons (二疋手長猿図鐔)
The obverse of this tsuba shows towards the top and the bottom a gibbon in an almost symmetrical interpretation and with their hands meeting on the otherwise undecorated reverse, suggesting that they are working together to reach something, possibly fruits. The gibbons are of shakudō with copper faces and eyes in gold. The hitsu-ana (openings for scabbard accessories) are of irregular shapes.
Artwork Details
- Title: Sword Guard (Tsuba) Depicting Two Gibbons (二疋手長猿図鐔)
- Date: ca. 1615–1868
- Culture: Japanese
- Medium: Iron, gold-copper alloy (shakudō), copper, gold
- Dimensions: H. 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm); W. 2 3/16 in. (5.6 cm); thickness 3/8 in. (1 cm); Wt. 3.7 oz. (104 g)
- Classification: Sword Furniture-Tsuba
- Credit Line: Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
- Object Number: 91.1.775
- Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
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Japanese
late 14th century
Omori Hidenaga
18th century
Hirata School
ca. 1615–1868
Japanese
5th century
鷲田光中作 Washida Mitsunaka
19th century
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