Cleveland Museum of Art

Female Figure with Crane and Squirrel

Date

1662–1722

Medium

ivory

Culture

China, Qing dynasty (1644-1911), Kangxi reign (1662-1722)

Department

Chinese Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

In the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), luxury items became more affordable to larger parts of the society, including women, merchants, and literati in non-official positions. Imperial patronage and a growing urban population encouraged consumption of luxury goods and local craftmanship. This ivory form of a woman with a crane illustrates the superb skills and the creative mind of the talented artisan who sought clients on a competitive market. The ivory has aged to a rich amber, while traces of its original red and green paint remain on the woman’s cuffs and collar.

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