Baluster

Unknown Artist

17th–18th century

Baluster by Unknown Artist

Medium

Marble

Dimensions

H. 26 in. (66 cm); W. 8 in. (20.3 cm)

Classification

Sculpture

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

Gift of James R. Sutton, 1883

Accession Number

83.19.4

Tags

Architecture

Art Historical Context

This elegant marble baluster, crafted in China during the 17th18th century, exemplifies the refined architectural sculpture of the late Ming to early Qing dynasties. at 26 inches tall and 8 inches wide, its vase-like form—typical of balusters—would have supported railings on grand staircases, bridges, or garden pavilions in imperial palaces or elite estates. Carved from high-quality marble, it showcases precision and balance prized in Chinese stonework, where smooth curves and subtle fluting created both structural support and visual harmony. In Chinese architecture, balusters like this were ...

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