Standing Man in Long Robes with Two Swords in His Sash
Unknown Artist
20th century
Medium
Ivory
Dimensions
H. 7 1/4 in. (18.4 cm)
Classification
Sculpture
Culture
Japan
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Lesley and Emma Sheafer Collection, Bequest of Emma A. Sheafer, 1973
Accession Number
1974.356.65
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite ivory sculpture, *Standing Man in Long Rob with Two Swords in His Sash*, captures a figure from 20th-century Japan, standing just 7¼ inches tall. Carved from ivory, a prized medium in Japanese art for its smooth, luminous quality and suitability for intricate detailing, the work depicts a man in flowing robes, his sash holding the daishō—paired swords (katana and wakashi) symbolizing samurai status. Delicate elements like a fan and hat add to the elegance, evoking a sense of refined warrior nobility. Though the artist remains unknown, this piece reflects Japan's enduring fascin...