Miniature Garden Seat
Unknown Artist
late 1700s–early 1800s
Medium
ivory with pigments
Dimensions
4.4 × 3.8 cm
Classification
Ivory
Department
Chinese Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Bequest of Mrs. Severance A. Millikin
Accession Number
1989.330
About this artwork
In the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), luxury items became more affordable to larger parts of the society, including women, merchants, and literati in non-official positions. Imperial patronage and a growing urban population encouraged consumption of luxury goods and local craftmanship. This ivory carved and painted to resemble a miniature garden seat illustrates the superb skills and the creative mind of the talented artisans who sought clients on a competitive market.