Vase

Function was not the primary concern in making this vase. It is carved of cinnabar red lacquer (tihong), and the carving is so deep and intricate as to render it nearly unusable. The point then must have been display, and this is made all the more clear by the content of the imagery. The subject matter for this piece is drawn from classical literature and, along with the lavish carving, represents the height of the imperial court art of the Qing dynasty.

This vase is made of three parts that fit together: the lower unit, which has a flaring foot; the main body, which is full and round, and the top unit, which has a bulbous section and a flaring lip.