One of a Pair of Boxes in the Shape of Ducks

18th century

Not on view

Ducks, particularly in pairs, function as symbols of marital bliss in Chinese art, and it seems likely that this charming pair was once either a wedding gift or part of a dowry.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: One of a Pair of Boxes in the Shape of Ducks
Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong period (1736–95)
Date: 18th century
Culture: China
Medium: Wood with mother-of-pearl, ivory, and glass
Dimensions: H. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm); W. 2 in. (5.1 cm); D. 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm)
Classification: Shell
Credit Line: Anonymous Gift, in memory of Mrs. Nina Houser Peebles, 1956
Object Number: 56.32.2a, b
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

In the same medium

From the same time and place

One of a Pair of Boxes in the Shape of Ducks, Wood with mother-of-pearl, ivory, and glass, China — One of a Pair of Boxes in the Shape of Ducks
China
18th century

Dung-Chen, Brass, copper, cloisonné, Chinese — Dung-Chen
Chinese
1368–1644

Pipa (琵琶 ), Wood, ivory, bone, silk, Chinese — Pipa (琵琶 )
Chinese
late 16th–early 17th century

Batling (men’s ear ornaments), Ilongot artist, Hornbill ivory, metal, pearl shell, glass beads, Ilongot people — Batling (men’s ear ornaments)
Ilongot artist
late 19th–early 20th century

Bo gu tu, Fu Wang Chinese — Bo gu tu
Author Fu Wang
1752

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 contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.