Dish with immortals playing weiqi
Lotus-shaped dishes like this one were produced primarily during the short reign of the Xuande emperor. While two of the figures wear scholars’ clothing, the short cape of leaves adorning the shoulders of the man seated at center right identifies him as a Daoist immortal. He and one scholar play a chess-like game (weiqi) by moonlight—a common motif in Chinese art and literature.
Artwork Details
- 明宣德 剔彩仙奕圖漆盤
- Title: Dish with immortals playing weiqi
- Period: Ming dynasty (1368–1644), Xuande period (1425–36)
- Date: 1425–1436
- Culture: China
- Medium: Carved red and green lacquer
- Dimensions: H. 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm); W. 5 7/8 in. (14.9 cm); L. 9 1/4 in. (23.5 cm)
- Classification: Lacquer
- Credit Line: Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015
- Object Number: 2015.500.1.33
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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16th century
Accession Number: 2001.584a–c
Unidentified artist
late 16th century
15th–16th century
late 15th–early 16th century
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