Box with “peach-blossom grotto”

late 14th–mid-15th century

Not on view

Three Chinese characters incised on a rectangular piece of shell at upper right identify the scene on this box as the “peach-blossom grotto” (tao yuan dong). The phrase refers to a famous poem by Tao Qian (365–427) in which a fisherman enters a grotto and stumbles upon Shangri-la. As is invariably the case with such magical realms, once the man leaves the cave he is never able to return.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

元末明初　黑漆嵌螺鈿 “桃源洞” 圖方盒
Title: Box with “peach-blossom grotto”
Period: Yuan (1271–1368)–Ming (1368–1644) dynasty
Date: late 14th–mid-15th century
Culture: China
Medium: Black lacquer with inlaid mother-of-pearl
Dimensions: H. 3 in. (7.6 cm); W. 9 in. (22.9 cm); L. 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm)
Classification: Lacquer
Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Asian Art Gifts, 2006
Object Number: 2006.181a, b
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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7403. Box with "Peach Blossom Grotto"

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