明中期 雕漆剔紅荔枝紋漆盒|Box with lychees

Unknown

16th century · Carved red and black lacquer · Asian Art

The English name for this sweet tropical fruit is derived from the Chinese lizhi. Lychees are understood to represent fertility and are also symbolic of love and romance. Small boxes of this type, used to hold incense, were also produced in metal and porcelain

Artist

Unknown

Date

16th century

Medium

Carved red and black lacquer

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015