Object Details
Description
Embellishing the plain shiny body of this gourd is a plain concave ivory foot and a convex lip.The lid, apparently fashioned of a single piece of ivory, depicts the immortal Liu Hai, seated atop his three-legged toad (Chn, chan). Strung on an ivory cord held by Liu Hai (Chn) in either hand are circular pieces of cash, also made of ivory. An ivory bat, symbolic of good luck, is affixed to the ivory cord immediately behind Liu Hai's head. The eyes of the toad and bat are inlaid with a darker material.
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Exhibition History
Daoism in the Arts in China (December 16, 2006 to July 1, 2007)
On Becoming Immortal (May 9, 1993 to August 15, 1994)
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Date
late 19th-early 20th century
Period
Qing dynasty
Accession Number
F1984.38.4a-c
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
Container
Medium
Gourd, ivory
Dimensions
H x W: 14.8 x 6.5 cm (5 13/16 x 2 9/16 in)
Origin
China
See more items in
National Museum of Asian Art
Data Source
National Museum of Asian Art
Topic
gourd
ivory
Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911)
toad
bat
cricket
Liu Hai
China
Chinese Art
Robert Hatfield Ellsworth collection
Link to Original Record
Record ID
fsg_F1984.38.4a-c