Zitan Rosewood Box for the Jade Book of the Canon of Yao (S1992.77.2-.13)

Historical period(s)
Qing dynasty, 1800-1920
Medium
Zitan rosewood
Dimensions
H x W x D (overall): 7.5 x 12.2 x 12.2 cm (2 15/16 x 4 13/16 x 4 13/16 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Transfer from the National Museum of Natural History, Department of Minerology, Smithsonian Institution
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Accession Number
S1992.77.1a-b
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Book, Container
Type

Box

Keywords
China, Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911), WWII-era provenance
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Inscription(s)

The inscription on the box lid is the same as that on the title plaque (.2). Both read: Yu shu Yaodian 御書堯典 (Canon of Yao inscribed by the Emperor). The “Yao dian” (Canon of Yao) is an ancient Chinese text found in the Shujing 書經 (Classic of History).

On plaque .13 the text is dated and signed 庚申仲春月, 御書 “middle spring month of the gengshen year [27 February–27 March 1740], written by the Emperor,” and accompanied by two seals of Hongli, the Qianlong emperor (1711–1799; reigned 1735–96):

Huixin buyuan『會心不遠』(square intaglio)
De chong fu『德充符』(square relief)

Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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