Cinnabar Incense Stand, Qianlong reign (1736-1795)
China
Wood, resin, and pigment; 17 3/4 × 1…

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Table

ClassificationsFurnishings-Furniture-tables

Date1736-1795

Made AtChina, Asia

MediumWood, resin, and pigment

Dimensions17 3/4 × 14 1/2 × 12 in. (45.1 × 36.8 × 30.5 cm)

Credit LineGift of Dr. Oliver Foo, Sheng-Sheng Foo, and Hsin-Hsin Foo

Object number2022.7.3

DescriptionIn the context of Chinese decorative objects, cinnabar usually refers to carved lacquerware which is made with a mineral of the same name (or its scientific name, mercury sulfide). Though the use of vermillion in China dates to the Zhou dynasty, it was not until the latter years of the Song (960-1279) or early Yuan dynasty (1271-1368) that the first carved cinnabar was produced by the laborious process of cutting through the many layers of lacquer. Carvings tend to depict flora, Chinese characters symbolizing prosperity and longevity, mythological animals like dragons and phoenixes, and pictorial scenes such as those of scholars featured on this tabletop incense stand.

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