清 蟾宮折桂紋絲繡鏡套|Mirror case with lunar scene

Unknown

19th century · Embroidered silk gauze · Asian Art

In imperial China, scholars from humble backgrounds could attain upward social mobility by passing the civil service examination (held by the state every three years) and becoming a career government official. This achievement was often symbolized as “plucking a branch off the osmanthus tree on the moon” in popular culture. This embroidered silk case depicts the goddess Chang’e who, accompanied by her attendant and rabbit, hands a branch of the tree to the successful scholar.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th century

Medium

Embroidered silk gauze

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Mrs. Isabel Mayer, 1963