Netsuke of Puppies on a Bamboo Whisk
Unknown Artist
18th century
Medium
Ivory
Dimensions
H. 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm); W. 1 1/4 in. (3.2 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
10.211.506
Tags
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Art collection, this charming 18th-century ivoryuke depicts a tumble of playful puppies clambering over a bamboo whisk. Carved during Japan's Edo period (16151868), the sculpture measures just 2½ inches high and 1¼ inches wide—perfectly pocket-sized for its original purpose. Gifted by Mrs. Russell Sage in1910, it exemplifies exquisite craftsmanship of anonymous Japanese artisans who transformed humble materials into miniature masterpieces. Netsuke were essential accessories in Edo-era fashion, serving as toggles to secure inro (small medicine or tob...