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Crab on a Lotus Leaf

early 19th century
Not on view
Animal-shaped silverwares by Tiffany may well have been based on ideas sparked by netsuke. The tiny crab on a curling lotus leaf rendered in fine metal alloys here must have appealed to Moore.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Crab on a Lotus Leaf
  • Period: Edo (1615–1868)
  • Date: early 19th century
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Ivory body, patinated copper disk with mixed-metal and gilded details
  • Dimensions: Diam. 1 3/4 in. (1.5 cm); D. 9/16 in. (1.5 cm)
  • Classification: Netsuke
  • Credit Line: Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
  • Object Number: 91.1.940
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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Inrō with Shells and Seaweeds amid Rocks and Waves, Inrō: four cases; lacquered wood, gold and silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, togidashimaki-e, cutout gold foil application, silver inlay on gold ground; metal cord runners; ojime: copper with mixed-metal inlay and gilded details; netsuke: carved ivory, Japan
Inrō with Shells and Seaweeds amid Rocks and Waves
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Shō, Bamboo wood, metal, Japanese
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Inrō with Lotus and Crab (obverse); Lotus and Tadpole (reverse), Inrō: four cases; wood with gold and silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, lead, mixed-metal inlay; ojime: tadpoles in a stream; copper alloy with mixed-metal inlays; netsuke: turtle in a lotus leaf; carved ivory with gilded copper, Japan
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