Table screen with immortals

17th century

Not on view

Luxury writing accessories with religious subjects were used by literati to manifest their wishes. This tabletop screen, which protects inkstone from dust, illustrates a popular Daoist subject. The deity of longevity (Shoulao), identified by his prominent bald cranium, sits on a garden rock. The eight immortals stand in two lines and greet him on his birthday with various gifts. Below the rock pedestal, four incised characters convey every scholar’s aspiration: ci jinshi di, or “confer the jinshi degree,” the highest degree in the imperial civil service exam.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

晚明清初　白錫點銅八仙賀壽插屏
Title: Table screen with immortals
Period: Late Ming (1368–1644)–early Qing (1644–1911) dynasty
Date: 17th century
Culture: China
Medium: Pewter, brass
Dimensions: H. 14 3/8 in. (36.5 cm); W. 14 3/8 in. (36.5 cm); D. 1/4 in. (0.6 cm)
Classification: Metalwork
Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Asian Art Gifts, 2023
Object Number: 2023.375
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Long Side Table, Wood (huanghuali or Dalbergia odorifera), China — Long Side Table
China
17th–18th century

Couch, Wood (huanghuali, or Dalbergia odorifera), China — Couch
China
17th century

Altar coffer, Wood (huanghuli or Dalbergia odorifera), China — Altar coffer
China
17th–18th century

Seated Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Infinite Compassion, Gilt copper alloy, Tibet or Mongolia — Seated Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Infinite Compassion
Tibet or Mongolia
17th century

Amitabha, the Buddha of the Western Pure Land (Sukhavati), Distemper with gold on cloth, Central Tibet — Amitabha, the Buddha of the Western Pure Land (Sukhavati)
Central Tibet
ca. 1700

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.