Page 72 - Chinese Decorative Arts: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, v. 55, no. 1 (Summer, 1997)

small pieces, this fragile material was often
used with gold foil to construct designs val-
ued for their fineness and precision. Small nar-
rative and landscape compositions, still lifes,
and compact geometric patterns were some
of the popular subjects.
in a
Here a group of antiques, made of mother- cabinet with scene Figures
of
of-pearl cutouts, rests on a fine hexagonal pat-
tern constructed with gold foil. As a theme, Landscape
................................................................................
the display of antiquities appealed not only to Qing dynasty, Qianlongperiod his two-door cabinet has the appear-
(1736-95)
the literati's taste for ancient objects but also carved red with ance of separate boxes held together by
to a popular interest in auspicious associa- lacquer gilt-bronzefittings a gilt-bronze handle mounted between the
L. 141/8 in. (36 cm)
tions through the use of a rebus. The antiques Promised of Florence and Herbert drawers on top. The overall design is based
depicted on this dish include a ritual water Gift Irving on straight edges and squared corners, creat-
a
vessel (jiaodou), grain vessel (fu), and a ing an angularity most evident in the metal
mold for a coin (qian). The names of the last handle. The six side panels each have similar
two items are the root for the expression "fuzai decoration: a scene of figures at a river bank
is
yanqian," meaning "happiness right here." or on a garden terrace by the water, with
Still lifes with auspicious meanings were pop- receding hills in the far distance. The tops of
ular on lacquer and in other decorative arts, the two drawers are each adorned with a scene
such as cloisonne enamel and textile, and were of a deer in a landscape. The sharp and pre-
in
widely depicted paintings, which were often cise cutting of the lacquer is characteristic of
given as presents. By giving the gift, one the palace workshop at this time, as are the
offered the good wish as well. deeply carved brocade patterns on the ground.
WAS WAS

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