Netsuke of Mouse on a Mushroom
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Ivory
Dimensions
H. 7/8 in. (2.2 cm); w. 2 1/8 in. (5.4 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
Gift of Mrs. Russell Sage, 1910
Accession Number
10.211.51
Tags
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Art collection, this delightful *Netsuke of Mouse on a* is a 19th-century Japanese ivory carving from the late Edo (1615–1868) or Meiji (1868–1912) period. just 7/8 inches high and 2 1/8 inches wide, its diminutive scale belies the artist's masterful skill in capturing a whimsical scene: a perky mouse perched atop a mushroom cap. Gifted by Mrs. Russell Sage in1910, it exemplifies intricate artistry of anonymous Japanese craftsmen who elevated everyday objects into treasures. Netsuke were essential accessories in traditional Japan, serving as toggles...