Box with ivory inlay

Object Details

• Label

  As can be seen from the sides, this lacquer box was originally red. The carving style of the fourteenth

  and early fifteenth centuries has a strong sculptural quality. The top of this box originally would have looked much like the sides, but it may once have been damaged, causing a later craftsman to repair it by applying layers of black lacquer. Another explanation is that after the fall of the Ming dynasty in 1644, red lacquer became less popular, so someone may have tried updating the box by adding the black lacquer. Whatever the reason, the additional work is unusual and reflects the trouble collectors would go to in order to preserve Yongle-era carved lacquer ware. The use of high-status ivory on the lid is a pairing of two luxury commodities—only the finest materials would have been acceptable to add to lacquer.

• Collection

  Arthur M. Sackler Collection

• Exhibition History

  The Arts of China (November 18, 1990 to September 7, 2014)

  Pavilions and Immortal Mountains: Chinese Decorative Art and Paintings (September 28, 1987 to February 28, 1988)

• Origin

  China

• Credit Line

  Gift of Arthur M. Sackler

• Type

  Container

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

  There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1790s, 1400s

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Pavilion, Daoist Immortals, Boats and boating, Art, Inlay (process), Animals, Chinese Art, Lacquer, Horses, Bone, Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644)

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Containers