Box with Cover
Unknown Artist
late 16th–early 17th century
Medium
Cloisonné enamel
Dimensions
Diam. 2 3/16 in. (5.6 cm)
Classification
Cloisonné
Culture & Period
China · Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Edward G. Kennedy, 1929
Accession Number
29.110.36a, b
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Box with Cover*, crafted in cloisonné enamel during China's Ming dynasty (late 16–early 17th), exemplifies the era's pinnacle of technical virtuosity and aesthetic refinement. Measuring just 2 3/16 inches (5.6 cm) in diameter, this petite lidded container was likely designed for personal luxury—perhaps holding cosmetics, seals, or precious spices—reflecting the Ming court's fascination with intricate, portable treasures. Cloisonné enamel, a signature medium of Ming artistry, involves soldering fine metal wires onto a copper body to create tiny cells (cloisons), which are fille...