Netsuke of Recumbent Tiger
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Boxwood
Dimensions
L. 1 1/3 in. (3.4 cm)
Classification
Netsuke
Culture
Japan
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Lesley and Emma Sheafer Collection, Bequest of Emma A. Sheafer, 1973
Accession Number
1974.356.71
Tags
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art collection this exquisite *Netsuke of Recumbent Tiger* from19th-century Japan exemplifies the mastery of miniature sculpture. Netsuke were practical yet artistic toggles, securing inro pouches—small lacquered cases for medicines or seals—to traditional kimono sashes during the Edo period (160–1868) and into the Meiji era. Carved from boxwood, a dense hardwood prized for its fine grain and creamy patina, this piece measures just 1 1/3 inches (3.4 cm) long, showcasing the carver's skill in capturing lifelike detail on an intimate scale. The ...