Artwork preview

Netsuke in Shape of a Biwa Fruit containing Court Figures Playing Game of Go

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The object is a dark brown, oval-shaped container made of wood or lacquer, with a dotted pattern on its surface. The container is carved to resemble a biwa fruit, with a small, bronze-colored metal figure inside. The figure depicts two people playing a game. One person has long hair and sits on the left. The other person has a top knot and sits on the right. They are sitting on either side of a low table. The container is open, with the two halves curved outward to reveal the interior and the figures. The background of the image is white.

Artwork details

Date:
early 19th century
Medium:
Wood
Culture:
Japan
Dimensions:
600 × 400 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette