GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This box and cover exemplify the techniques achieved in producing deeply carved cinnabar lacquers at imperial studios in the latter part of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644 CE). 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 motif. 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 bordered by enclosed panels of scrolling vines with blossoms on the sides of the cover and the lower part of the box.
During this time, imperial studios began inscribing the date of manufacture, with many examples from the last decades of the 16th century. The bottom of this box bears the inscription "Da Ming Wanli Yi Wei nian zhi" (Made in 1595 during the Wanli era of the Great Ming dynasty) incised with needle and inlaid with gold.
Adapted from
Label text, 2006.
NOTES
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PROVENANCE
1973: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, purchased from Harry C. Nail, Jr [1]
Notes:
The main source for this provenance is the object record card in the Collections Records object file.
[1] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.
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apply to objects where number equals 1973.9.A-B
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General Description
This box and cover exemplify the techniques achieved in producing deeply carved cinnabar lacquers at imperial studios in the latter part of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644 CE). 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 motif. 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 bordered by enclosed panels of scrolling vines with blossoms on the sides of the cover and the lower part of the box.
During this time, imperial studios began inscribing the date of manufacture, with many examples from the last decades of the 16th century. The bottom of this box bears the inscription "Da Ming Wanli Yi Wei nian zhi" (Made in 1595 during the Wanli era of the Great Ming dynasty) incised with needle and inlaid with gold.
Adapted from
Label text, 2006.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
1973: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, purchased from Harry C. Nail, Jr [1]
Notes:
The main source for this provenance is the object record card in the Collections Records object file.
[1] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
rules
Apply To
Objects
number
Equals
1973.9.A-B
source file
object_notes_1_d-0111.xml.nores