Gourd
1736-1795 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This moulded gourd is the largest and most elaborate gourd in the collection. Its peach shape was obtained by using a mould which would have restricted its growth. The marks made by the five sections of the mould are still visible. Eight small peaches are moulded on the surface, making a total of nine, an auspicious number associated with long life. The emperor's mark of Qianlong, shanwan, is moulded in low relief on one shoulder. The gourd is mounted on a hardwood stand decorated with silver inlays, almost certainly contemporary. The object was probably created by a wealthy hobbyist; on one side a mark reads: 'Beautiful object made for enjoyment in the Qianlong era (1736-95)'. It was used as a display piece.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Brief description | Model of a peach, moulded gourd with wood stand, China, Qing dynasty, Qianlong reign period, 1736-95 |
| Physical description | Gourd, peach-shaped, decorated with nine moulded peaches in deep, clear relief. Hardwood stand carved with floral scrolls and inlaid with silver wire. |
| Styles | |
| Gallery label | Model of a peach
Qianlong reign period
1736-1795
This decorative piece was obtained by growing the gourd in a peach-shaped mould. Eight small peaches on the surface of a large peach make a total of nine, an auspicious number as it is homophone of the word 'eternity'.
Moulded gourd with wooden stand
Mark 'shang wan' on one side
Sir John Addis Gift
Museum no. FE.159-1975(2009) |
| Credit line | Sir John Addis Gift |
| Object history | From Register: cf. a similar peach-shaped gourd in the Palace Museum, Beijing (Gugong Bowu yuan Yuankan, no. 1, 1979, p. 90) |
| Summary | This moulded gourd is the largest and most elaborate gourd in the collection. Its peach shape was obtained by using a mould which would have restricted its growth. The marks made by the five sections of the mould are still visible. Eight small peaches are moulded on the surface, making a total of nine, an auspicious number associated with long life. The emperor's mark of Qianlong, shanwan, is moulded in low relief on one shoulder. The gourd is mounted on a hardwood stand decorated with silver inlays, almost certainly contemporary. The object was probably created by a wealthy hobbyist; on one side a mark reads: 'Beautiful object made for enjoyment in the Qianlong era (1736-95)'. It was used as a display piece. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | FE.159&A-1975 |
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| Record created | December 15, 1999 |
| Record URL |
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