Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Tsuba with Dragonflies
(Japanese Military Armor)
This tsuba shows two dragonflies facing each other across the central opening. The upper dragonfly is executed in silver and gold. The lower is made from a silver alloy. The bodies of both dragonflies continue on the back. Dragonflies are a symbol of autumn. They are also a reference to the islands of Japan because the shape of the islands has been said to resemble a dragonfly.
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 (Place of Origin)
Measurements
3 3/16 x 3 in. (8.1 x 7.7 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.
51.310