Knife Sheath
Unknown Artist
1100s
Medium
Gilt silver (body) and brass (trefoil-shaped ring)
Dimensions
w. 21.7 cm
Classification
Metalwork
Department
Korean Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
J.H. Wade Trust Fund
Accession Number
2022.38
About this artwork
Made by rolling a flat piece of silver plate, this knife sheath is decorated on each side with oval panels, including two larger middle panels showing an image of rising dragons with ring-punched scales. The circular upper panels bear the image of seated phoenixes. The flat bottom is engraved with a pair of fish, symbolizing harmonious unity. The trefoil-shaped ring attached to the tip of the sheath allows a string to connect it as a pendant to a belt. In medieval Korea, a miniature sheath such ...