Tsuba with a Dragon Holding a Pearl

18th century (Edo) H: 2 11/16 in. (6.8 cm) Citation Source image

A dragon wraps around this tsuba, holding a pearl of wisdom at the upper left. These pearls are said to be used by dragons to control the tides of the ocean. Clouds around the dragon's body form the secondary holes for the utility knife and hair pick.

Artifact

id
id
6712
contentType
contentType
object
stage
stage
normalized
provenance
provenance
Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
rightsUri
rightsUri
CC0
language
language
en
pageCount
pageCount
3
source
source
import
Source image fields (5)
thumbnailUrl https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/PS3_51.236_Back_DD_JP09.jpg
largeImageUrl https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/PS3_51.236_Back_DD_JP09.jpg
iiifBase https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/PS3_51.236_Back_DD_JP09.jpg
imageCount 3
sourceUrl https://purl.thewalters.org/art/51.236