Seashell naturally embedded in tree root, Qing dynasty, Qianlong reign (1736-1795)-China Archive

Seashell naturally embedded in tree root, Qing dynasty, Qianlong reign (1736-1795)

Image Number: K1G000145N000000000PAE
Dynasty: Qing dynasty
Category: Carvings
Function: Furnisher
Material: Plants/Wood/
Description:
This work was originally hidden in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. It belongs to a cultural relic generated in nature. It covers the shell with natural tree roots, and its shape is like a “floating raft”. Therefore, the wooden seat is cleverly matched with the “River Map, Luoshu” Tianhe and Seawater patterns, so that visitors can visit the river source by the raft. It is equipped with a bundle, which belongs to the unique collection and storage mode of the Qianqing Palace. After the Qing Palace recognized the antiques, in addition to the display of the “Duobao”, many of the first-class people were stored in the Palace of the Heavenly Purity and other palaces. They must recognize the first place and then match the second place. Therefore, we saw many records of matching the second place. First, in November of the eighth year of the reign of the Emperor Qianlong (1743), it was stipulated that “if you enter the Palace of the Heavenly Purity and other inferior antiques, you must match the second place”, On April 11, the 10th year of the reign of Emperor Qianlong, it was changed to “The East Warming Pavilion in the Palace of Heavenly Purity was built with first-class and second-class antiques, and the West Warming Pavilion was built with first-class and second-class antiques. The first-class antiques were accompanied by brocade boxes, and the second-class antiques were accompanied by boxes.” At this time, a batch of boxes and brocade bags were received, so the order was issued to “equip the boxes with second-class antiques, and their bags were wrapped with heads and other antiques.”. Therefore, it can be seen that many antiques originally stored in the Palace of Heavenly Purity are equipped with boxes and bundles, and the original packaging remains intact.