Scabbard
Unknown Artist
1800s
Medium
metal and tortoiseshell
Dimensions
l. 42.5 cm
Classification
Arms and Armor
Department
Korean Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of The Honorable Joseph P. Carroll and Roberta Carroll, M.D.
Accession Number
1995.246.b
About this artwork
The tortoise shell was a popular material for sword decoration for its association with the legend of ancient heroes. For example, a tortoise is believed to have helped rulers tame natural disasters.