Case (Inrō) with Design of Seated Monkey Looking at a Wasp (obverse); Crabs with Fan beside Waves (reverse)

Rectangular object with scalloped top edge, divided into two panels. Left panel features a seated monkey looking up at a wasp; the monkey is dark brown with a lighter brown face and is sitting on its haunches. The monkey's right hand is raised to its mouth. Three round objects are on the ground beside the monkey. The wasp is flying above the monkey. The background of the left panel is light brown with a darker brown border. The right panel depicts two crabs beside waves; one crab is holding a fan. The background of the right panel is light brown with darker brown lines forming a wave. There are some grass-like lines and Asian characters in the lower right and center right of the right panel. The object has a black border with a decorative edge.

Artwork Details

Date: 19th century
Medium: Metal, brass metal, incised, various applied metals; Interior: silver metal
Culture: Japan
Dimensions: 600 × 415 px
Public Domain: Yes
Museum Record: View original

Palette