Minneapolis Institute of Art

Box and Cover

China

Date

17th century

Medium

Painted red lacquer with filled-in and engraved gold decoration (<I>tian-ch'i<I>)

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Shaped and decorated to resemble a drum, this large circular box and cover were created with the tian-ch'i or filled-in technique. It has contrasting color fields of red, green, black, and reddish-brown lacquer. After the surface was polished, the outlines and details were engraved and gilded. The fine gold powder in the grooves was held in place with a clear lacquer adhesive. On the cover is a gold five-clawed dragon shown full face amongst clouds above rocks and waves with a flaming pearl in the center. These imperial emblems exist against a muted brown swastika diaper ground. The sides of both box and cover are painted with roundels imitating the studs of a stretched leather drum head. The sides are decorated below and above with engraved and gilded continuous lotus scrolls. The tian-ch'i technique was popular during Ming and early Ch'ing for the decoration of fine lacquer furniture. China, Asia

The authoritative record is held by Minneapolis Institute of Art. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.