Netsuke of Two Rats 1834 - 1866

Curator: The object before us is a Netsuke of Two Rats, a wood carving created by Ikkan between 1834 and 1866. Currently, it resides at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. What strikes you first? Editor: The compactness is immediately apparent. A nearly spherical form achieved through meticulous carving. There's a powerful simplicity in the composition. Curator: Indeed. The sphere, in iconography, can represent the cosmos, unity, wholeness. Here, it encapsulates these small creatures, their very being almost...compressed. The rat in Japanese art is strongly associated with Daikoku, the god of wealth. It's a good omen. Editor: If we shift to consider its structure, one is struck by the textural contrast. The smooth curve of their bodies against the precisely etched details of the paws and whiskers. That level of refinement invites an engagement with materiality that might suggest intimacy, no? Curator: I find that particularly astute, the netsuke as an object of intimacy, of personal significance, given that they served a practical function, securing small personal items hung from the obi. Editor: Function dictating form? Though there's an undeniable aesthetic play here. These rats intertwine, creating an integrated visual unity that transcends pure practicality. The choice of this dark wood gives it warmth but also creates the opportunity for detailed relief. Curator: What seems interesting to me, also, is their nakedness. It's something rarely represented by occidental sculptors, and in this netsuke it seems a part of the beauty of these little creatures. Editor: Absolutely. When we combine the intimacy and the symbolism of prosperity this object can assume additional importance. What an object. Curator: Agreed. Looking closer and paying particular attention to its craftsmanship allows us to unravel its symbolic weight and compositional skill. Editor: Well, considering its intricate composition, materiality, and cultural context, the piece continues to resonate deeply.