Netsuke

• Hotei – god of happiness, mid-19th century, ivory, Japan, height 6.3 cm

The Wismar siblings migrated to Australia in the 19th century. While there they compiled a comprehensive natural history and art history collection, which Auguste Möglin sent to his home city in 1894. The miniature ivory sculptures (“Netsuke”) are among the most valuable pieces in the collection. Their unique development is linked to traditional Japanese clothing. A cord fed through the opening was used to attach objects to the belt of the kimono, which had neither buttons nor pockets.

The Möglin collection is today made up of pictures, bronze works, porcelain and small sculptures from East Asia.