Artwork preview

Dish with characters for longevity and health (shou kang)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Reddish-brown dish with rounded rim, flat base, and curved sides. The interior features a large, rounded rectangle surrounded by an oval border, both filled with raised, horizontal lines and a vertical line down the center. The center design resembles the Chinese character for "shou," symbolizing longevity. The dish's rim is decorated with an intricate, curved pattern of leaves and tendrils. The exterior appears plain. The background is gray and shaded darker at the top.

Artwork details

Date:
mid-16th century
Medium:
Carved red, yellow, and green lacquer
Culture:
China
Dimensions:
600 × 450 px
Museum record:
View original
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