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Rectangular box

dated in inscription to 1595

Dallas Museum of Art

Dallas Museum of Art
Dallas, United States

This box and cover exemplify the excellent techniques achieved in producing deeply carved cinnabar lacquers at imperial lacquer studios during the latter part of the Ming dynasty. Dragons and phoenixes in flight were dominant imagery; here, symmetrically opposed imperial five-clawed dragons chase the flaming pearl of wisdom. Clouds surround the dragons, while waves crash against the rocks below. The main motif is typically bordered by enclosed panels of scrolling vines with blossoms on the sides of the cover and on the lower part of the box.

Lacquer artists placed a second color beneath the thick layer of red at predetermined locations; as they carved away the red, they exposed yellow or black sublayers, creating contrasting ground patterns behind the red lacquer motifs.

During this time, imperial studios began inscribing the date of manufacture, and many remaining examples show inscriptions from the last decades of the 16th century. The date corresponding to 1595 appears on a majority of the remaining examples, evidence of exceptionally large production during that year and of widespread interest in preserving these examples.

Details

  • Title: Rectangular box
  • Date Created: dated in inscription to 1595
  • Physical Dimensions: Overall: 3 3/8 x 11 3/8 x 7 1/8 in. (8.573 x 28.893 x 18.098 cm)
  • Type: Containers
  • External Link: https://www.dma.org/object/artwork/5060619/
  • Medium: Cinnabar lacquer over wood core
  • period: Ming
  • Credit Line: Dallas Museum of Art, gift of Mr. and Mrs. George A. Shutt

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