Netsuke of Mouse in a Basket of Mushrooms
Unknown Artist
19th century
Dimensions
H. 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm); W. 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm); D. 1 1/8 in. (2.9 cm)
Classification
Netsuke
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo (1615–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
Accession Number
91.1.1032
Tags
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Art collection, this charming *Netsuke of Mouse in a Basket of* exemplifies the exquisite miniature artistry of 19th-century Japan, from the late Edo period (1615–1868) or early Meiji era (1868–1912). Carved by an unknown master, the piece measures just 1 3/4 inches high, showcasing the netsuke's role as a practical yet playful accessory. Before modern pockets, netsuke served as toggles to secure inro (small medicine boxes or pouches) to a kimono sash, blending functionality with whimsy. The subject—a cheeky mouse peeking from a basket brimming with...