covered box with dragon

covered box with dragon , early 1570s, Ming dynasty (1368–1644)

Where object was made: China

Material/technique: wood; carving; lacquer

Dimensions:
Object Height/Diameter (Height x Diameter): 14 x 33 cm
Object Height/Diameter (Height x Diameter): 5 1/2 x 13 0.9921 in

Credit line: Gift of David P. Bushnell in honor of Sammy Yu-kuan Lee

Accession number: 1977.0114.a,b

Not on display

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Label texts

Collection Cards: Mindful

The dragon is an important, legendary creature in China and is a symbol of power, strength, and good luck. This dragon is associated with the emperor because it has five claws on each leg. In the very center of the lid is the dragon’s treasure, a magic pearl. In some stories from China, the dragon uses its magic pearl to make food and water appear for people in a village who were starving. If you had a magic pearl, what would you wish for to help your community? How can you help people in your community even without a magic pearl? What kind of creature would you choose to represent you if you were the emperor? What qualities of that creature are important to you? Compare this dragon with others shown in the Collection Cards.

Nature/Natural

The cover of the Wan-li period box is decorated with a twisting five-clawed dragon; floral motifs are intricately carved on the sides. The dragon motif was reserved during this period for use on imperial wares. A covered box such as this was probably used by the emperor for presenting cakes or other gifts. The dragon dances amidst scattered clouds above prism-shaped rocks, all carved in shallow relief against the fine detail of the patterned background.

Nature/Natural

Archive Label date unknown: The cover of the Wan-li period box is decorated with a twisting five-clawed dragon; floral motifs are intricately carved on the sides. The dragon motif was reserved during this period for use on imperial wares. A covered box such as this was probably used by the emperor for presenting cakes or other gifts. The dragon dances amidst scattered clouds above prism-shaped rocks, all carved in shallow relief against the fine detail of the patterned background.