Netsuke
Unknown Artist
18th century
Medium
Wood
Dimensions
H. (open) 2 5/16 in. (5.8 cm); H. (closed) 1 7/16 in. (3.7 cm) W. 1 5/16 in. (3.4 cm); D. 7/8 in. (2.3 cm)
Classification
Netsuke
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo period (1615–1868)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Russell Sage, 1910
Accession Number
10.211.2061
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delightful 18th-century netsuke from Japan's Edo period (16151868) exemplifies the ingenuity of everyday artistry in a time of peace and prosperity. Netsuke were small toggles carved to secure inro—lacquered medicine or tobacco cases—to a wearer's sash, as traditional kimonos lacked pockets.ed by an unknown artist from wood, a favored medium for its workability, this piece measures a compact 2 5/16 inches (5.8 cm) high when open and just 1 7/16 inches (3.7 cm) when closed, highlighting theist's skill in transforming everyday objects into whimsical sculptures. Featuring intricate carvings...