Turtle
This small, highly naturalistic turtle, an ornament known as an okimono, is enhanced by the green patina on the cast copper alloy body. Very similar turtles climb the sides of a silver jardiniere designed by Moore around 1879, shown in a nearby case. Often represented in Japanese art as symbols of longevity, they were also associated with the mythical island of immortality, Mount Hōrai. The detailed, realistic depiction of animals in metal was a characteristic genre of Meiji art.
Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.