Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Tsuba with Clams and Conch
(Japanese Military Armor)
This small tsuba is decorated with clams, mussels and conchs. On both sides, a conch in its shell is depicted at the lower right of the tsuba. On the front, a clam and mussel are to the left of the conch. Another clam and mussel are at the upper left. A scallop and two razor clams appear on the right edge above the conch. On the reverse, two clams are the top. A clam and a scallop are at the bottom, near the small conch. Water is indicated on both sides with hairline engravings. This small tsuba would have been used with a short sword or dagger.
Inscription
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Geographies
Japan, Tokyo (Edo)
(Place of Origin)
Japan, Kyoto (Place of Origin)
Measurements
2 3/16 x 1 5/8 x 3/16 in. (5.5 x 4.05 x 0.5 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
51.324