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Rondel with the motif of a young boy on a unicorn
Rondel with the motif of a young boy on a unicorn

Rondel with the motif of a young boy on a unicorn

Place of OriginChina
Dateapprox. 1800-1900
DynastyQing dynasty (1644-1911)
MaterialsEmbroidery on silk gauze
DimensionsOverall: Diam. 3/8 in. (16.2 cm)
Credit LineTransfer from the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Gift of Miss Katherine Ball
Object number1988.8
DepartmentChinese Art
ClassificationsTextiles
On View
Not on view
More Information
In China the mythical unicorn (qilin) is believed to be a bringer of sons. Here a young boy in princely costume carries a mouth organ (sheng, which sounds like the word for "giving birth") and a stalk of osmanthus flowers (guihua; "flower of nobility"). The combined motif is therefore a pun symbolizing the continuous birth of noble sons (liansheng guizi).