Lacquer Tea Bowl 乾隆禦制雕漆盞
Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong reign mark and period (1736–1795)
Medium
Cinnabar and black lacquer with carved decoration
Dimensions
5.6 × 10.9 cm (2 3/16 × 4 15/16 in.); Diam.: 10.9 cm (4 15/16 in.)
Classification
drinking vessel
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
134
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This finely carved two-color lacquer tea bowl bears an inscription of a poem composed by Emperor Qianlong in 1746. The poem praises the “three purity tea” (sanqing cha), which consists of plum blossom petals, fingered citron and pine nuts, and must be brewed in melted snow water. According to imperial records, Emperor Qianlong often served sanqing tea during his renowned tea gatherings held in the palace during the New Year season. It was at one of these banquets that he wrote this poem. Althoug...
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...