Box, 13th century
Unknownexpand_more
Carved red and yellow lacquer (tihong)expand_more
Gift of Ruth and Bruce Daytonexpand_more 2001.73.1a,b
Not on Viewexpand_more
The slightly domed lid of this shallow bowl is densely carved with two parakeets flying among flowering camellias, gardenias, and chrysanthemums. The box is embellished with a single flower each of tree peony, gardenia, camellia, and prunus, all carved down to a buff ocher ground. The interior is of brown lacquer. One of the most important technical innovations of the Southern Song was lacquer carved with pictorial designs. As is typical of this earliest stage, the surface is relatively two-dimensional; there is virtually no overlapping of forms; the contours are cut at an angle with little rounding of edges; and there is no relief carving or incising to indicate texture or depth. By the 1300s, artists had mastered pictorial devices like foreshortening, overlapping, and fine incisions to create pictorial images that are more three-dimensional and naturalistic.
Details
- Title
- Box
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2001.73.1a,b
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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