San Diego Museum of Art - Cinnabar Lacquer Box (with the cover)

☰ Open Filter >>

Object Results

Showing 1 of 1

Print this page

Bookmark: https://collection.sdmart.org/objects-1/info/7603

Cinnabar Lacquer Box (with the cover)

Creation date: 1644-1911

Creation place: China

Other Information

Type: Lacquer Box

Medium and Support: Lacquered wood

Credit Line: Gift of Josephine Seaman

Accession Number: 1933.13.1-2

Dimensions: 5 3/4 in. x 15 1/4 in. x 15 1/4 in. (14.61 cm x 38.74 cm x 38.74 cm)

Currently on view

Provenance

Josephine Seaman, ( - 1933)

San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego, California (1933 - )

Label Copy

04/06/2018
Carved lacquer began in the twelfth century mostly with “sword-pommel” designs, and later adapted designs from ceramics, textile, and paintings, including animals, plants, flowers, and clouds, which appear on the cover and borders of this object. This box is covered with various styles of a single character, ‘longevity’ (shou in Chinese). In the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), such boxes were intended for conveyance of gifts, and would be returned to the sender. The servant who delivered the box would receive a small present or tip for his service. Although this piece is not ancient, such a sizable box is probably meant to keep as a treasure box or family heirloom.

Last Updated: 4/6/2018

Exhibition

This object was included in the following exhibitions:

Official Art Exhibition of the California Pacific International Exposition Fine Arts Gallery of San Diego , 5/29/1935 - 11/11/1935

Art of East Asia: China The San Diego Museum of Art , 1/24/2013 - 00/00/00

Bibliography

This object has the following bibliographic references:

Illustrated Catalogue: Official Art Exhibition of the San Diego Museum of Art. San Diego, California, 1935
Page Number: 4, no. 39

Submit a question or comment about this object

Showing 1 of 1

Your current search criteria is: [Object]CurrentLocation is "@galleries@" and [Object]Obj. Type is "Lacquer Box" and [Object]Century is "18th century".