Wristrest in the Shape of a Chin (Lute), early 19th century
Kuo Shang-hsienexpand_more
"Dragon's eye" wood (lung yan mu) and ivoryexpand_more
Gift of Ruth and Bruce Daytonexpand_more 2006.47.1
On View in Gallery 217expand_more
This wristrest is beautifully crafted in the shape of a ch'in or Chinese lute, an instrument long associated with the literati and a symbol of antiquity and scholarship. The craftsmen used lung-yan timber from Fukien province. This wood is famous for its "tiger stripe" graining while the form is further enhanced by a row of thirteen ivory inlays resembling the markers on an actual qin.
The top of the rest is carved with a poem by Kuo Shang-hsien in two five-character stanzas, which reads:
My home is without material wealth
The classics are its fertile fields.
Kuo Shang-hsien was a famous official and calligrapher from Pu-tian in Fukien. He was a scholar, painter, poet, and well-known calligrapher who held several official posts both in Peking and the provinces.
Details
- Title
- Wristrest in the Shape of a Chin (Lute)
- Artist Life
- 1785 - 1832
- Role
- Calligrapher
- Accession Number
- 2006.47.1
- 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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