Box in the Form of a Melon

c. 1880

An ivory box in the form of a melon (Chinese, Qing Dynasty, c. 1880), the top and bottom open to reveal carved scenes, each half rests on a wooden stand with curved feet. The exterior of the box is finely carved in relief and openwork with melon vines, flowers, and fruit. The inside of the base (.1) depicts, in high relief, five men in a garden examining a scroll that a servant holds for them. The garden is filled with pine tress, plum tress, and rockworks. The inside of the lid (.2) is also carved in high relief and shows a scene of a sage with a young boy and crane, next to them is a figure mounted on a donkey with a servant walking on a bridge. Around them is a flying crane, pine and plum trees, and mountains in the background.

Chinese

ivory

wood

6.25" x 7" x 2.5"

Gift of the Estate of Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Berwind, II, 2008.

PSNC.11845.1a-b-.2a-b