Baluster
Unknown Artist
17th–18th century
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
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 ...