Celestial Vault
Ornament
2000 (made)
2000 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This sculpture represents the traditional Chinese concept that Earth is square and Heaven is round. The technique is known as 'bodiless' lacquer, because the whole object is very light despite its size. The stars are formed by small pieces of mother-of-pearl, silver foil and egg shell, the crescent moon with rock crystal.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
|
| Title | Celestial Vault (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | Lacquer on fabric inlaid with mother-of-pearl, silver foil and egg shell |
| Brief description | Lacquer ornament 'Celestial Vault' by Chen Pei-ze, with stand and storage box, Taiwan, 2000 |
| Physical description | Lacquer ornament depicting the traditional Chinese concept that Earth is square and Heaven is round. Black lacquered surface with blue clouds, stars and other constellation made from small pieces of mother-of-pearl, silver foil and egg shell. A rock crystal crescent moon rests on a platform. With lacquer stand and storage box. |
| Credit line | Supported by the Friends of the V&A |
| Summary | This sculpture represents the traditional Chinese concept that Earth is square and Heaven is round. The technique is known as 'bodiless' lacquer, because the whole object is very light despite its size. The stars are formed by small pieces of mother-of-pearl, silver foil and egg shell, the crescent moon with rock crystal. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | FE.121:1 to 3-2002 |
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| Record created | March 6, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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