Artwork preview

Netsuke of Qilin Sitting on a Nest

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Netsuke of Qilin Sitting on a Nest by artist unknown, depicts a creature with a large body and head, small legs, and a curly tail sitting on a nest. The creature has a large belly and a smiling face with a curly mustache. Its fur is depicted as curly and flowing. The creature is made of a light-colored material, possibly ivory or bone, with black detailing. It sits on a red base with a geometric pattern around the edge and a brown nest underneath the creature. The background of the image is light gray.

Artwork Details

Date
19th century
Medium
Ivory, red lacquer
Culture
Japan
Dimensions
600 × 400 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette