明 黑漆嵌螺鈿學士圖八方盤|Tray with scholars

Unknown

15th century · Black lacquer with mother-of-pearl inlay · Asian Art

This dish depicts Chinese literati, or scholar-officials, engaging in leisure activities. In the foreground, three such men, identifiable by their clothing, travel on horseback toward a gate attended by two figures holding large fans. The trio in the middle ground examines a painting displayed by a pair of young attendants. The other scholars are either strolling in the garden, reading books, enjoying tea, or engaged in conversation.

Artist

Unknown

Date

15th century

Medium

Black lacquer with mother-of-pearl inlay

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015