Cleveland Museum of Art

Miniature Garden Seat

Date

late 1700s–early 1800s

Medium

ivory with pigments

Culture

China, Qing dynasty (1644-1911), Qianlong mark and reign (1736-95)

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 carved and painted to resemble a miniature garden seat illustrates the superb skills and the creative mind of the talented artisans who sought clients on a competitive market. A servant carrying a qin , zither, accompanies two gentlemen admiring the trees.

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