Collection record · Everyday wonders
Knife Sheath
The collection record classifies this work as metalwork. It is dated 1100s. Recorded culture or place: Korea, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392).
Explore the object recordOBJECT RECORD
A closer look at the details.
- Museum title
- Knife Sheath
- Date
- 1100s
- Culture / origin
- Korea, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392)
- Materials and technique
- Gilt silver (body) and brass (trefoil-shaped ring)
- Dimensions
- length: 21.7 cm (8 9/16 in.)
- Artist / maker
- Not specified by the museum
- Museum
- The Cleveland Museum of Art
- Accession number
- 2022.38
FROM THE MUSEUM
In the museum’s words
The following description is reproduced from the Cleveland Museum of Art’s original English record.
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 as this was considered an important fashion item, especially for elite members of the ruling class.
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Text and image sources
The Cleveland Museum of Art · Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund · CC0
The summary is based on public collection data. Refer to the museum’s latest record for the title, date and attribution.
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