Tray with figures in a landscape
The two gentlemen on horseback and their attendants are presumably traveling to join the four figures drinking beneath the pine tree at top. The crane standing near the attendants serving wine and the deer resting at right are symbols of immortality. They add an otherworldly element to the scene, which represents either a paradisiacal realm or the retirement villa of a senior official equipped with the trappings of such a magical environment.
Artwork Details
- 元 黑漆嵌螺鈿人物故事圖九方盤
- Title: Tray with figures in a landscape
- Period: Yuan dynasty (1271–1368)
- Date: 14th century
- Culture: China
- Medium: Black lacquer with inlaid mother-of-pearl
- Dimensions: H. 2 1/8 in. (5.4 cm); Diam. 19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm); Diam. of foot 17 in. (43.2 cm)
- Classification: Lacquer
- Credit Line: Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015
- Object Number: 2015.500.1.18
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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14th century
14th century
ca. 13th–early 14th century
14th century
Attributed to Zhang Cheng (active mid-14th century)
mid-14th century
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