mia-asian-art: Box and Cover, 17th century, Minneapolis Institute of Art: Chinese, South and Southea
mia-asian-art: Box and Cover, 17th century, Minneapolis Institute of Art: Chinese, South and Southeast Asian Artrounded sides decorated with 2 rows of dots flanking 2 bands of scrolling flowers; dragon amid cloud shapes on cover; painted brown lacquer Shaped and decorated to resemble a drum, this large circular box and cover were created with the tian-ch'i or “filled-in” technique. It has contrasting color fields of red, green, black, and reddish-brown lacquer. After the surface was polished, the outlines and details were engraved and gilded. The fine gold powder in the grooves was held in place with a clear lacquer adhesive. On the cover is a gold five-clawed dragon shown full face amongst clouds above rocks and waves with a flaming pearl in the center. These imperial emblems exist against a muted brown swastika diaper ground. The sides of both box and cover are painted with roundels imitating the studs of a stretched leather drum head. The sides are decorated below and above with engraved and gilded continuous lotus scrolls. The tian-ch'i technique was popular during Ming and early Ch'ing for the decoration of fine lacquer furniture.Size: 4 ¼ x 14 3/16 x 14 3/16 in. (10.8 x 36.0 x 36.0 cm)Medium: Painted red lacquer with “filled-in” and engraved gold decoration (tian-ch'i)https://collections.artsmia.org/art/40658/ -- source link
#artsmia#minneapolisinstituteofart