Tiered box with a praying official

late 14th century

Not on view

An official stands before an incense burner on the lid of this box. He may be praying to the heavens on a moonlit night, a traditional Chinese practice. The use of gold underneath the figural decoration is uncommon and suggests that the box was particularly valuable.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

明初剔黑高仕拜月圖撞盒
Title: Tiered box with a praying official
Period: Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
Date: late 14th century
Culture: China
Medium: Carved black lacquer on gilded ground
Dimensions: H. 5 1/8 in. (13 cm); Diam. 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm)
Classification: Lacquer
Credit Line: Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015
Object Number: 2015.500.1.83a–d
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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