清乾隆　絲繡玉兔望月|Rabbit gazing at the moon and stars besides a blossoming osmanthus, lingzhi fungus, and autumn leaves

Unknown

late 18th century · Silk embroidery on silk satin · Asian Art

This exquisite silk embroidery depicts a rabbit gazing up at the full moon from a rocky bank. The moon and two constellations indicate that it is nighttime; the blossoming osmanthus and red leaves reveal that it is autumn—the season of the Moon Festival. An auspicious phrase on the upper right corner, crafted in the shape of a seal, reads “xi cui chuan nian” (稀翠傳年), meaning “deep green signifies longevity”.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 18th century

Medium

Silk embroidery on silk satin

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Alice Boney, 1954