Artwork preview

Netsuke of Daruma Admonishing a Mermaid Serving Sake to an Octopus

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The sculpture depicts three figures. A central figure sits on the ground with legs tucked under the body. The figure has a large head with a stern expression and a prominent nose. Two smaller figures are on either side. On the left, a figure with a large head and a hairstyle featuring a topknot bows with hands clasped together. On the right, a mermaid with a fish tail pours sake from a large jug into a cup. The mermaid has long hair. All figures are carved from a light-colored material, possibly ivory, with intricate details. The background is gray. The title is "Netsuke of Daruma Admonishing a Mermaid Serving Sake to an Octopus".

Artwork details

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