first half of the 15th century
China
Object qualities
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Type of arts & crafts
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MediumBlack lacquer with mother-of-pearl inlay
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SizeH. 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm); W. 8 1/8 in. (20.6 cm); D. 8 1/8 in. (20.6 cm)
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Geography details
China -
Country today
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Datefirst half of the 15th century
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CultureChina
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PeriodMing dynasty (1368-1644)
Source of information
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Type of sourceDatabase “Metropolitan Museum of Art”
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Fund that the source refers toMetropolitan Museum of Art
Description
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The adorable girls peeking around the wall at the woman and dogs in the garden are found in at least two other works from the period. This scene likely illustrates a well-known moment from a literary work or a play. Every panel and column of the architecture is decorated with a distinct pattern, attesting to the painstaking labor needed to create the scene. Each of the sixteen cartouches on the sides shows different flowers and birds.