Box in the Shape of a Double-Gourd
Artist/Culture
Chinese
Date18th century, Qing Dynasty (1644–1911)
Mediumpale green nephrite
Dimensions10.9 x 7.7 cm (4 5/16 x 3 1/16 in.)
ClassificationsJades
Credit LineGift of John and Maria Dirlam
Object number1997.136
DescriptionBox in the Shape of a Double-Gourd pale green nephriteLabel Text2006-03-04: Box in the Shape of a Double-Gourd Nephrite; Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911), 18th century Gift of Maria and John Dirlam, 1997.136 This box is shaped like a double-gourd and with a smaller gourd to one side; it is also constructed as two interlocking halves. Double-gourds represent the unity of heaven and earth: the upper half signifies heaven while the lower part symbolizes the earth. Immortals and Taoist sages are often shown using dried gourds, shaped into containers, to hold magical elixir. Through its popular use, the gourd also became known as a medicinal charm for longevity and protection against evil. The two butterflies (die) signify joy and romantic marital bliss, as well as a doubling of wishes (die is a homophone for "to repeat"). The stem with trailing tendrils predicts the continuation of the family for “ten thousand generations” (wan dai; lit. “vine stem”).ProvenanceJohn and Maria Dirlam
On View
On view
Chinese
early 18th century, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Chinese
Qianlong period (1736–1795) of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Chinese
late 18th–early 19th century, Qing Dynasty (1644–1911)
Chinese
late 18th century, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Chinese
18th century, Qing Dynasty (1644–1911)