Antiques and Art: Netsuke miniatures at Chester Beatty 

Des O'Sullivan checks out the 12 animal figurines from the Japanese zodiac on display in Dublin

A c1820 ivory monkey netsuke in the style of Mitsuhide at Chester Beatty.

Animals from the Japanese zodiac in miniature made in the 18th and 19th century are on display at the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin until March 23. 

The 12 zodiac animals — rat, ox, tiger, hare (rabbit), dragon, snake, horse, goat (sheep), monkey, rooster, dog and boar (pig) — represent the 12-year cycles in Asia.