ticketsMember | Make a donation

Kirin (Mythical Chimera)

18th century
Not on view
The kirin is a mythical animal with the body of a deer, tail of an ox and a single horn. A paragon of virtue, the kirin supposedly appears in times of good government.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 麒麟牙彫根付
  • Title: Kirin (Mythical Chimera)
  • Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
  • Date: 18th century
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Ivory
  • Dimensions: H. 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm)
  • Classification: Netsuke
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Russell Sage, 1910
  • Object Number: 10.211.1408
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Jewel casket, Ivory with silver gilt mounts, gilded metal lining, finial with garnet in gold setting, Sri Lanka, Kandy
Jewel casket
Sri Lanka, Kandy
mid-17th century
Buddhist monk Bodhidharma (Chinese: Damo), Rhinoceros horn, China
Buddhist monk Bodhidharma (Chinese: Damo)
China
17th century
Buddha, Copper alloy with gilding, Sri Lanka, Kandy district
Buddha
Sri Lanka, Kandy district
18th century
Boy with water buffalo, Jade (nephrite), China
Boy with water buffalo
China
18th century
Seated Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Infinite Compassion, Gilt copper alloy, Tibet or Mongolia
Seated Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Infinite Compassion
Tibet or Mongolia
17th century

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.