Tiered box with a praying official

late 14th century

Not on view

An official stands before an incense burner on the lid of this box. He may be praying to the heavens on a moonlit night, a traditional Chinese practice. The use of gold underneath the figural decoration is uncommon and suggests that the box was particularly valuable.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

明初剔黑高仕拜月圖撞盒
Title: Tiered box with a praying official
Period: Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
Date: late 14th century
Culture: China
Medium: Carved black lacquer on gilded ground
Dimensions: H. 5 1/8 in. (13 cm); Diam. 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm)
Classification: Lacquer
Credit Line: Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015
Object Number: 2015.500.1.83a–d
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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