Lian cosmetic case with interior containers, c. 100 BCE - c. 100 CE
Unknown artist, Chinaexpand_more
Painted lacquer with silver inlay over wood coreexpand_more
Gift of Ruth and Bruce Daytonexpand_more 2001.69.2.1a,b
On View in Gallery 215expand_more
This brilliantly decorated lacquer cosmetic case was recovered intact, complete with three small lacquer boxes inside. It is one of the best-preserved sets to have survived from the Western Han dynasty. Each smaller box is formed and decorated to match the larger case, or lian, with its delicately drawn scrollwork and silver inlay. The two small circular boxes have silver inlaid quatrefoil on top, and one still contains red face powder. In the narrow D-shaped box are four wooden hair combs of the same shape. The boxes are made of thin wood protected by several coats of dark brown lacquer. They are decorated with elaborate tracery painted in red and ocher lacquer and images of striding animals cut from silver sheets. The interiors of all boxes and lids are lacquered and embellished with identical scrollwork.
Details
- Title
- Lian cosmetic case with interior containers
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2001.69.2.1a,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.
Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know
Zoom in on the left to the detail you'd like to save. Click 'Save detail' and wait until the image updates. Right click the image to 'save image as' or copy link, or click the image to open in a new tab.