Tiered Box with Figural Scenes, Flowers, and Birds

first half of the 15th century

Not on view

The adorable girls peeking around the wall at the woman and dogs in the garden are found in at least two other works from the period. This scene likely illustrates a well-known moment from a literary work or a play. Every panel and column of the architecture is decorated with a distinct pattern, attesting to the painstaking labor needed to create the scene. Each of the sixteen cartouches on the sides shows different flowers and birds.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

明早期黑漆嵌螺鈿人物花鳥紋撞盒
Title: Tiered Box with Figural Scenes, Flowers, and Birds
Period: Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
Date: first half of the 15th century
Culture: China
Medium: Black lacquer with mother-of-pearl inlay
Dimensions: H. 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm); W. 8 1/8 in. (20.6 cm); D. 8 1/8 in. (20.6 cm)
Classification: Lacquer
Credit Line: Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015
Object Number: 2015.500.1.12a, b
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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