Tsuba with dragons and shishi, or lion dogs
Details
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Title
Tsuba with dragons and shishi, or lion dogs
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Associated place
Japan (place of creation) -
Date
1st half of the 18th century -
Material and technique
iron, with engraved decoration, and inlaid with brass and copper
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Material index
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Technique index
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Object type
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Dimensions
8.8 x 8.3 cm (height x width) -
No. of items
1
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Credit line
Bequeathed by Dame Jemima Church, in accordance with the wishes of her Husband, Sir Arthur H. Church, 1929.
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Museum location
Museum department
Eastern Art
Accession no.
EAX.10819
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Catalogue text
Rounded oblong; designs in sharp relief, the higher parts in incrustation of brass or copper; on the front are two ascending dragons and pearl, with a "long life" seal character below; on the back are four lions (shishi) with three brocaded balls and a peony flower below; plain border of circular section; long octagonal seppadai lightly engraved with scrolls and inlaid in copper with two lotus leaves and in brass with two lotus-pods.
A very similar guard from the Hawkshaw Collection (no.316) is in the V. and A. M. The symbolism of various items in the design has a Buddhistic flavour.
Glossary of terms
tsuba
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