Artwork preview

Case (Inrō) with Design of Squid, Shells and Seaweed

Hara Yōyūsai

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Rectangular, black, leather case with rounded corners and a brown cord threaded through a silver bead at the top. The cord is tied in a bow at the bottom. A design on the case features a squid with a brown and silver body and long tentacles, a brown and white shell, and brown seaweed. A gold and silver bead is at the top of the case, and a gold squid-shaped toggle is attached to the cord. The background is gray.

Artwork Details

Date
early 19th century
Medium
Case: powdered gold (maki-e) and colored lacquer on black lacquer with mother-of-pearl and gold inlays; Fastener (ojime): ivory carved with abstract design; Toggle (netsuke): ivory carved in the shape of a crab
Culture
Japan
Dimensions
468 × 624 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette