Covered Box with Butterflies, Gourds, and Scrolling Vines
Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Yongzheng (1723–35) or early Qianlong period (1736–95), 18th century
Medium
Carved cinnabar lacquer on wood
Dimensions
9.5 × 32.4 cm (3 3/4 × 12 3/4 in.); Diam.: 32.4 cm (12 3/4 in.)
Classification
lacquer
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
36691
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This vessel plays upon a rebus: the words for “butterfly” and “gourd” together allude to the wish for innumerable generations of sons and grandsons. The image of fruit-bearing stems visually reinforces this ideal, which was highly valued in traditional Confucian society. Butterflies with beautifully contoured wings flutter amid red, orange, and pale green gourds, melons, pumpkins, or squash. The lobed fruits are decorative rather than botanically specific; together, they grow from gracefully tra...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...