Period:Ming dynasty Production date:1522-1566
Materials:porcelain
Technique:glazed, underglazed,
Subjects:immortal deity devotee/worshipper
Dimensions:Diameter: 12.50 centimetres Height: 7.20 centimetres
Description:
Round porcelain box and cover with underglaze blue decoration. This round box has curved sides, a domed cover with a flat top and a tapering foot. It is decorated with symbols of good fortune and long life. Shoulao, the popular god of longevity, identified by his phallic cranium, long beard and ‘ruyi’ sceptre, is shown seated on a dais in a glade with his deer and servant beside him. Three devotees make offerings of peaches, incense and scrolls to him. The Eight Daoist Immortals are depicted in a procession around the box’s tray, carrying gifts. Unusually, a six-character Jiajing reign mark is arranged clockwise in a circle on the base with the character 造 ‘zao’ replacing the more usual ‘zhi’: 大 明 嘉靖 年 造 ‘Da Ming Jiajing nian zao’ [Made in the Jiajing reign period], probably indicating that it was not an imperial piece.
IMG
![图片[1]-box BM-1928-0718.4-China Archive](https://chinaarchive.net/Ming dynasty/Ceramics/mid_00266734_001.jpg)
![图片[2]-box BM-1928-0718.4-China Archive](https://chinaarchive.net/Ming dynasty/Ceramics/mid_00325493_001.jpg)
Comments:Harrison-Hall 2001:The box might have been given as a birthday gift, for the decoration is related to wishes for long life and present giving. Craig Clunas has suggested that the repetitive use of imagery of men and immortals presenting gifts alludes to the context in which such ceramics were used. Lacquer boxes were also made in this shape in the Jiajing era.
Materials:porcelain
Technique:glazed, underglazed,
Subjects:immortal deity devotee/worshipper
Dimensions:Diameter: 12.50 centimetres Height: 7.20 centimetres
Description:
Round porcelain box and cover with underglaze blue decoration. This round box has curved sides, a domed cover with a flat top and a tapering foot. It is decorated with symbols of good fortune and long life. Shoulao, the popular god of longevity, identified by his phallic cranium, long beard and ‘ruyi’ sceptre, is shown seated on a dais in a glade with his deer and servant beside him. Three devotees make offerings of peaches, incense and scrolls to him. The Eight Daoist Immortals are depicted in a procession around the box’s tray, carrying gifts. Unusually, a six-character Jiajing reign mark is arranged clockwise in a circle on the base with the character 造 ‘zao’ replacing the more usual ‘zhi’: 大 明 嘉靖 年 造 ‘Da Ming Jiajing nian zao’ [Made in the Jiajing reign period], probably indicating that it was not an imperial piece.
IMG
Comments:Harrison-Hall 2001:The box might have been given as a birthday gift, for the decoration is related to wishes for long life and present giving. Craig Clunas has suggested that the repetitive use of imagery of men and immortals presenting gifts alludes to the context in which such ceramics were used. Lacquer boxes were also made in this shape in the Jiajing era.
© Copyright
The copyright of the article belongs to the author, please keep the original link for reprinting.
THE END
