Rectangular tray
Place of Originpossibly Foochow area, China
Date1250 - 1350
PeriodSouthern Song period (1127 - 1279)
DynastySouthern Song period (1127 - 1279) or Yuan dynasty (1271 - 1368)
MaterialsBlack lacquer with mother-of-pearl inlay
DimensionsOverall: H. 1 1/4 in × W. 12 1/4 in × D. 3 3/8 in (3.2 cm × 31.1 cm × 8.6 cm)
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Object numberB77M18
DepartmentChinese Art
ClassificationsDecorative Arts
On View
Not on viewThe image on this tray of a boy emerging from a lotus with its many seeds expresses the wish for many sons. The Chinese word for “lotus seeds” sounds like “continuously having sons,” adding to the meaning of the visual pun. Images of single children in art emerged in the Song period (960–1279).
approx. 1300-1400
1400 - 1600
1400 - 1500
approx. 1400-1600
960-1279 (with later additions)
approx. 1600-1700
approx. 1450-1600
1600 - 1800
1300 - 1400
1600 - 1800