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Crystal Ball on a Bronze Stand in the Shape of a Fish

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The image shows a dark-colored, possibly bronze, sculpture of a fish on a stand with a crystal ball on top. The fish has a long body with scales and fins; its head and tail are visible. Two fish are stacked on top of and beside one another. The fish is lying on its side. It has its mouth open and appears to be supporting the crystal ball on its mouth. The crystal ball is clear and spherical, sitting on a decorative stem with several curved tendrils or leaves extending from it. The stem is attached to the fish's mouth and supported by a second fish. The background of the image is light gray. A small white rectangle in the bottom-right corner contains the text "THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART".

Artwork Details

Date
18th century
Medium
a) Rock crystal; b) Bronze
Culture
China
Dimensions
465 × 624 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette