Sword Guard
Unknown Artist
14th–15th century
Medium
Iron, gold, silver, copper
Dimensions
H. 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm); W. 4 3/4 in. (12.1 cm); Wt. 7.55 oz. (214 g)
Classification
Swords
Culture
Tibetan or Chinese
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Steven Kossak, The Kronos Collections, 2014
Accession Number
2014.533
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite sword guard, dating to the 14th–15th century, hails from either Tibetan or Chinese culture and exemplifies the masterful metalwork of Himalayan or East Asian arms traditions. Crafted from iron inlaid with gold, silver, and copper, it measures just 3¼ inches high and 4¾ inches wide, yet weighs a substantial 7.55 ounces, reflecting its robust construction for battlefield use. As part of a sword's hilt, the guard shielded the wielder's hand while serving as a canvas for artistic expression—its tags highlight intricate face motifs, likely evoking protective deities or fierce guardia...