Life in Miniature: Ceramic Netsuke From the Silverman Collection January 16, 2011

The people of Japan created some of the most opulent personal accessories during the Edo Period (1615-1868) in order to attach inro (cases) to their elaborate silk clothing. Japanese artists invented miniature sculptures known as netsuke (pronounced NET-skeh) as fasteners for luxury-loving Japanese citizens. The tiny treasures, which were worn primarily by men, have since been collected for their wit, whimsy and craftsmanship. More than 200 rare ceramic netsuke were recently donated to the Museum by Richard R. Silverman, one of the most prominent collectors of netsuke in the world, and are being exhibited for the first time. Life in Miniature explores the iconography of these decorative and useful objects and their depiction of everyday and fantastic subject matter. Also shown are Japanese screens depicting Kyoto, where many of the objects were made and sold, and a kimono with netsuke illustrating how these delightful fashion accessories were worn.