Inro (Case) with Mice and Beans
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
late 1800s
Inro (Case) with Mice and Beans — Lacquer, made in Japan, Meiji period (1868–1912), dated late 1800s. This round inro is decorated with an image of a single mouse feasting on beans.
The theme is elaborated with a metal <em>ojime</em> (cinch) in the form of a cloth bag tied with rope—suggesting the food stores the mouse is raiding. The carved wood netsuke, or toggle, is in the shape of a mouse clutching a nut. Physical description: Lacquer on wood with color and sprinkled gold powder design (maki-e); Diameter: 8.4 cm (3 5/16 in.).
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Held by Cleveland Museum of Art (object no. 1916.885). The museum record attributes this piece to an unrecorded maker in Japan, Meiji period (1868–1912) around late 1800s. Details beyond the museum's own catalogue entry have not been independently verified.
Physical characteristics
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 8.4 cm (3 5/16 in.)
- Materials techniques
- Lacquer on wood with color and sprinkled gold powder design (maki-e)
Identification
- Source note
- All details come from the object's own museum catalogue record; nothing has been copied from other entries.
- Museum object name
- Lacquer
- Museum object number
- 1916.885
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.