Artwork preview

Paperweight in the shape of a bitter melon

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The sculpture depicts a green bitter melon on a stand. The bitter melon is light green, oval-shaped, and carved with a bumpy texture. The stand is black and has a twisted, organic shape resembling tree roots or branches. It has a wide base that narrows in the middle and flares out again to support the bitter melon. The background is a plain gray color. The object is by an artist unknown.

Artwork Details

Date
late 18th–early 19th century
Medium
Jade (jadeite)
Culture
China
Dimensions
600 × 512 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette