明晚期 剔紅歲寒三友圖漆盤|Dish with the Three Friends of Winter

Unknown

16th–early 17th century · Carved brown lacquer · Asian Art

Pine needles, bamboo leaves, and plum blossoms fill the center of this deeply carved dish. Plum blossoms, which are among the first flowers of early spring, are often associated in Chinese art with evergreen pine and bamboo. Together, the trio are known as the “Three Friends of Winter,” a motif symbolizing how a lofty individual perseveres even in the harshest environment.

Artist

Unknown

Date

16th–early 17th century

Medium

Carved brown lacquer

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015