Artwork Page for Water Coupe

Details / Information for Water Coupe

Water Coupe

1500s

Lu Zigang

(Chinese, active 1500s)
Culture
China, Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
Medium
Jade (white nephrite), signed “Zigang”
Measurements
height: 4 cm (1 9/16 in.); Diameter: 8 cm (3 1/8 in.)
Credit Line
The MCH Foundation, Inc. 1.2024
Copyright
Copyright
This artwork is known to be under copyright.
Location
240B Chinese Decorative Arts
Print

Description

Lu Zigang, of Suzhou, was a renowned jade carver during the Jiajing (1521–67) and Wanli (1572–1620) reigns of the Ming dynasty. His magnificent skill was acknowledged in contemporary literature: Zhang Dai commended him for his tour de force that surpassed all his contemporaries of the same century and the Gazetteer of Suzhou recorded that his hairpins showed he had a genius for jade carving. Here he worked a piece of white jade into a superb water jar in the shape of a peach.
An off-white jade vessel features a squat, four-lobed body with golden-brown patches coloring the stone near its raised circular rim. Shallow vertical indentations define the rounded sections, while a low-relief stylized mask with scrolled edges is carved into the front-facing lobe. Wider than it is tall, the vessel's smooth surface is flecked with natural dark specks.

Water Coupe

1500s

Lu Zigang

(Chinese, active 1500s)
China, Ming dynasty (1368–1644)

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork