Netsuke of Snail on a Box

Shigemasa

19th century

Netsuke of Snail on a Box by Shigemasa

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

Snails

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...

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