清乾隆 碧玉雲龍洗|Basin

Unknown

dated 1774 · Jade (nephrite) · Asian Art

On the walls of this large basin, five spirited dragons—their sinuous bodies carved in high relief—chase two flaming pearls in and out of swirling clouds. A poem by Emperor Qianlong inscribed on the interior floor dates the jade to 1774 and points to Khotan in far northwestern China as the source of this huge boulder. The overall shape and decoration suggest that the basin was inspired by the colossal jade wine container that Khubilai Khan (1215–1294) commissioned in 1265.

Artist

Unknown

Date

dated 1774

Medium

Jade (nephrite)

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Heber R. Bishop, 1902