Minneapolis Institute of Art

Shears (scissors)

China

Date

8th-9th century

Medium

Beaten silver

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

This pair of scissors is made from a single piece of silver. The figure eight shape of the handle acts as a spring for the cutting motion. Relatively few pre-Tang scissors survive and most that do are made of iron. Several decorated silver pairs have been unearthed from the Tang tombs, however, indicating the increased prosperity of that dynasty. The sumptuous and luxurious life of the aristocracy is reflected in tomb goods such as this, which, transcending its mundane functional purpose, attracts and delights the eye with its decorative content. China, Asia

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