This small exhibition brings together 200 superb examples of netsuke - a form of miniature sculpture originating in 17th-century Japan. These often elaborately carved items were designed to function as ‘toggles’ for the silk cords upon which Japanese men strung their pipes, purses or writing implements.

The collection on display represents the finest items from the Fitzwilliam’s own sizeable netsuke collection, including many early and rare examples of the medium, and presenting objects depicting animals, human forms and figures from Japanese legend.

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