Model of a Gourd
1723-1735 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Ivory carving of a double-gourd, worked by fretwork in three sections which are attached but free of each other. The outer surface carved in low relief with archaistic scrolling. The stopper naturalistically carved with a leaf leading to a chain of linked ivory rings from which hang various miniature carvings of monkeys and fruit. The whole piece is worked from one piece of ivory, in the style of super-intricate carving called gui gong (devil's work).
Zitan wood stand carved in openwork, the box is fitted internally to accommodate the carving on stand, the front slides upwards to open.
Zitan wood stand carved in openwork, the box is fitted internally to accommodate the carving on stand, the front slides upwards to open.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 5 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Ivory, carved; zitan wood stand and fitted box |
| Brief description | Model of a double-gourd, carved ivory, China, Qing dynasty, Yongzheng reign period (1723-1735) |
| Physical description | Ivory carving of a double-gourd, worked by fretwork in three sections which are attached but free of each other. The outer surface carved in low relief with archaistic scrolling. The stopper naturalistically carved with a leaf leading to a chain of linked ivory rings from which hang various miniature carvings of monkeys and fruit. The whole piece is worked from one piece of ivory, in the style of super-intricate carving called gui gong (devil's work). Zitan wood stand carved in openwork, the box is fitted internally to accommodate the carving on stand, the front slides upwards to open. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Styles | |
| Credit line | Gift of Mary Keays in memory of her brother Sammy Chin Yong Pah |
| Object history | The object is accompanied by a hand-written certificate in Chinese, written by Zhang Yongnian on 2nd day of 3rd month of Guangxu 3 = 1877. It describes the carving as a family heirloom, bought for 'several hundred' liang of silver from a friend thirty years previously. It is now being sold to a 'Master De' for £200. It is flawless and of a type which cannot now be made. (See Register for xerox of Chinese text). Similar examples in: British Museum for Oriental Ceramic Society.Chinese Ivories from the Shang to the Qing (London, 1984), no. 231. Zhu Jiajin & Wang Shixiang. Zhongguo meishu quanji, Gongyi meishuu bian 11: Zhu mu ya jiao qi (Beijing, 1987), no. 107. Kwan, Simon. Chinese Ivories from the Kwan Collection (Hong Kong, 1990), no. 149. Craig Clunas 20.11.1990 (From Register) |
| Bibliographic reference | Rawski, Evelyn S. & Rawson, J. (Eds) China: The Three Emperors, 1662-1795, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 2005
Clunas, Craig. Chinese Carving. London: Sun Tree Publishing Ltd in association with the Victoria & Albert Museum, 1996. p. 23, fig. 14. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | FE.10:1-1990 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | December 20, 2005 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
