Pair of Stirrups (Abumi)

Inscribed by Sanemitsu Japanese

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 377

The form of these luxurious stirrups is known traditionally as hato mune (pigeon breast). They are completely covered with finely inlaid silver decoration, demonstrating the supreme level of craftsmanship achieved by their otherwise unknown maker, Sanemitsu. The beautiful designs include Chinese lions, peonies, and a waterfall flowing into a brook. This is the only known pair of stirrups to use raised silver dots as a technique to highlight and accentuate the decoration. The stirrups were made in Kashu (now Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture), probably under the patronage of the Maeda clan, lords of Kaga and one of the most powerful families in Japan at the time.

Pair of Stirrups (<i>Abumi</i>), Inscribed by Sanemitsu (Japanese, active in Ka shū, probably 18th century), Iron, wood, silver, lacquer, paper, Japanese, Kashu

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

Front

Pair of Stirrups (<i>Abumi</i>), Inscribed by Sanemitsu (Japanese, active in Ka shū, probably 18th century), Iron, wood, silver, lacquer, paper, Japanese, Kashu
Pair of Stirrups (<i>Abumi</i>), Inscribed by Sanemitsu (Japanese, active in Ka shū, probably 18th century), Iron, wood, silver, lacquer, paper, Japanese, Kashu
Pair of Stirrups (<i>Abumi</i>), Inscribed by Sanemitsu (Japanese, active in Ka shū, probably 18th century), Iron, wood, silver, lacquer, paper, Japanese, Kashu

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.