隋至唐初 陶龜硯|"Inkstone" and cover in the shape of a turtle

Unknown

6th–7th century · Earthenware · Asian Art

Turtles and tortoises, symbols of longevity and endurance, have long been associated with divination in ancient China. Here, the shell is engraved with the eight trigrams (bagua) used in Daoist cosmology, which became increasingly important during the Sui and Tang dynasties.

Artist

Unknown

Date

6th–7th century

Medium

Earthenware

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Purchase, The Vincent Astor Foundation Gift, 2003