Cleveland, 4 July 2011
A lacquer box dating from the thirteenth century, one of the most magnificent pieces of its kind, has joined the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The piece will be part of the museum’s collection of Asian art and is expected to spur the public’s interest in Asian art.
The lacquer case is finely carved and features two exotic birds amidst a field of peonies. The object offers fresh insight into thirteenth- century Chinese civilisation. This artwork is unique and exceedingly rare as it engages with both naturalistic and abstract elements, which are usually used independently. Stylistically, the box marks the transition between the Song and the Yuang eras. The Song era is notable for its spiral patterns, while the Yuang era is characterised by floral motives and representations of birds. The carving of the object is typical of the Yuang period.
Lacquer was systematically used in Chinese culture but was used for prestigious objects only. The carved items were usually offered as precious gifts to wealthy friends or important dignitaries. They were also exchanged with other countries like Japan as a token of a mutual –sometimes economic- agreement.