Netsuke of Snail on a Box
19th century
Medium
Wood
Dimensions
H. 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm); W. 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm); D. 1 1/4 in. (3.2 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
10.211.1732
Tags
Art Historical Context
Behold this delightful *Netsuke of Snail on a Box a masterful 19th-century wood carving the Japanese artist Shigemasa Measuring just 1⅜ inches high, this tiny sculpture captures a snail poised elegantly atop a lidded box, showcasing the exquisite precision of netsuke craftsmanship. Netsuke were essential accessories in Edo-period (1615–1868) and Meiji-era (1868–1912) Japan, serving as toggles to secure inro—small lacquered pouches for medicines or tobacco—to one's kimono sash, blending utility with artistry. Carved from wood, Shigemasa's work exemplifies the intricate himotoshi (cord holes) a...