Sword Pommel
Asian Art
On View: Asian Galleries, Arts of Japan, 2nd floor
These two pieces originally appeared at the ends of sword handles. Wider than the grip of the sword, the pommel keeps the weapon from slipping out of the user’s hand. Both pommels feature images of dragons; in one example, two stylized dragons play with a central ball that represents a pearl, a motif likely borrowed from Chinese art. These pieces and the magatama beads shown here were purchased by Stewart Culin, the Museum’s former Curator of Ethnography, on his first trip to Japan in 1909.
MEDIUM
Gold plated bronze
DATES
Circa 300 – 600 C.E.
PERIOD
Likely Kofun period
DIMENSIONS
2 1/2 x 2 3/8 x 1/2 in. (6.4 x 6 x 1.3 cm)
(show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER
09.909
CREDIT LINE
Museum Expedition 1909, Purchased with funds given by Thomas T. Barr, E. LeGrand Beers, Carll H. de Silver, Herman B. Stutzer, Colonel Robert B. Woodward and the Museum Collection Fund
CAPTION
Sword Pommel, Circa 300 – 600 C.E. Gold plated bronze, 2 1/2 x 2 3/8 x 1/2 in. (6.4 x 6 x 1.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1909, Purchased with funds given by Thomas T. Barr, E. LeGrand Beers, Carll H. de Silver, Herman B. Stutzer, Colonel Robert B. Woodward and the Museum Collection Fund, 09.909. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 09.909_PS9.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 09.909_PS9.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2014
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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