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Picnic basket with scene from Investiture of the Gods

19th century
Not on view
The decorative designs on this box attest to the popular taste for the fantastical and the auspicious. Its cover displays an exciting scene from the sixteenth-century mythological novel Investiture of the Gods (Fengshen Yanyi). The fairy at the top left corner sends out magic scissors to cut her enemy; in the story he escapes, but his deer is less fortunate.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 清 紫檀百寳嵌封神故事圖食盒
  • Title: Picnic basket with scene from Investiture of the Gods
  • Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
  • Date: 19th century
  • Culture: China
  • Medium: Hardwood (zitan) inlaid with mother-of-pearl and soapstone
  • Dimensions: H. 9 1/8 in. (23.2 cm); L. 15 1/8 in. (38.4 cm); D. 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm)
  • Classification: Woodwork
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Willaim Corbus, 1977
  • Object Number: 1977.262a–g
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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