清晚期 剔彩開光道教人物圖漆盒|Box with Daoists welcoming immortal Shoulao

Unknown

19th century · Carved red and green lacque · Asian Art

Boxes in this shape are often fitted with trays that have recesses for holding cups to serve wine at celebrations. The design on this example shows Daoists welcoming Shoulao, the god of longevity, as he descends from the heavens on a crane—apt imagery for a vessel used to mark a birthday and convey wishes for a long life. A historical group of Daoist immortals is seated in the individual cartouches carved on the sides of the box.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th century

Medium

Carved red and green lacque

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Bequest of Stephen Whitney Phoenix, 1881