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Presentation box for a brush

Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong period (1736–95)

Not on view

This luxurious lacquer box was designed to hold a writing brush from the imperial workshops. The main images on the box are of bats flying over waves. In Chinese, the word for “bat” is pronounced the same as “fortune” (fu). Thus, the bat is an auspicious animal symbolizing good fortune, as opposed to its negative connotations in the West.

Presentation box for a brush, Carved red lacquer, China — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

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清乾隆剔紅蝙蝠紋筆盒

Title: Presentation box for a brush

Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong period (1736–95)

Culture: China

Medium: Carved red lacquer

Dimensions: Box (bottom): H. 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm); W. 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm); L. 12 3/8 in. (31.4 cm)
Lid: H. 9/16 in. (1.4 cm); W. 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm); L. 12 1/8 in. (30.8 cm)
Box closed: H. 2 in. (5.1 cm)

Classification: Lacquer

Credit Line: Gift of A. W. Bahr, 1958

Object Number: 58.64.19c, d

Chronology

Central and North Asia, 1600-1800 A.D.

Chronology

China, 1600-1800 A.D.

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Presentation box for a brush

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Central and North Asia, 1600-1800 A.D.

China, 1600-1800 A.D.

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Presentation box for a brush

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