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Netsuke of Monkey Carrying an Octopus Bound in Bamboo on His Back

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Small figurine of a monkey carrying an octopus bound in bamboo on his back. The figurine is made of a material that appears to be ivory or bone. The monkey is standing on two legs, with a large belly and a wide face. It has a wide open mouth with sharp teeth. The monkey's arms are covered in textured patterns. The monkey is carrying a bundle of bamboo on its back, which is tied with a rope. An octopus is wrapped around the bundle, with its tentacles curled around it. The octopus has bulging eyes. The background of the image is a plain gray color.

Artwork Details

Date
19th century
Medium
Ivory
Culture
Japan
Dimensions
416 × 624 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette