Hand guard 1800 - 1900

This is a hand guard made by Seiryusai Tadafumi, featuring an intricate design. The overall effect is a dense, symmetrical composition, where floral motifs and delicate perforations create a sense of depth and texture. The guard's circular shape is dynamically disrupted by the organic forms of flowers and foliage that fill the surface, challenging the rigidity of the metal. The central opening and the two smaller holes are functional necessities, yet they become integral to the visual harmony. The artist uses a limited palette of dark metal offset by gold highlights to bring out the textures and forms. The meticulous detailing and semiotic system of signs, with its floral components, point to broader artistic and philosophical concerns. The surface challenges our notions of functionality by integrating ornamental complexity. It reveals an ongoing interpretation of how beauty and utility can coexist within a cultural context.