Scissors
Unknown Artist
late 19th–early 20th century
Medium
Metal
Dimensions
H. 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm); W. 2 in. (5.1 cm)
Classification
Cloisonné
Culture
Japan
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Dr. Bashford Dean, 1921
Accession Number
21.64.19
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian collection, these delicate *Scissors* (late 19th– 20th century) a humble utilitarian tool into a masterpiece of Japanese craftsmanship. Measuring just 3 1/8 inches high 2 inches wide, metal object gleams with intricate cloisonné enamelwork, a technique where thin wires are soldered onto the surface to create compartments filled with vibrant vitreous enamels, then fired to fuse them into a glassy sheen. Gifted by Dr. Bashford Dean in 1921, these scissors exemplify Japan's export artistry during the Meiji and Taisho eras. Cloisonné flourished in...