Double Melon-Shaped Box
Five dynasties (907–960)
Medium
Yue ware; stoneware with underglaze carved and molded decoration
Dimensions
5.5 × 8.5 × 4.5 cm (2 3/16 × 3 3/8 × 1 3/4 in.)
Classification
vessel
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
193016
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The highly skilled Yaozhou potters often drew inspiration from nature. Yet this extremely playful lidded box, vividly crafted in the shape of two melons grown from a leafy vine, still stands out as a rare find. The box’s diminutive size and two internal compartments suggest that it was likely used as a cosmetic container on a lady’s dressing table. Characterized by its abundant seeds and winding vines, the melon was considered an auspicious symbol related to child-bearing and familial prosperity...
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...