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
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette