Artwork Page for Lotus Seeds and Water Caltrops

Details / Information for Lotus Seeds and Water Caltrops

Lotus Seeds and Water Caltrops

蓮蓬和菱角

1700–1750

Southeast China, Suzhou, Qing dynasty

(1644–1911)
Medium
Multicolor woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Measurements
Print only: 29 x 34.2 cm (11 7/16 x 13 7/16 in.)
Credit Line
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 2025.113
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

Woodblock printing in color reached a height in China in the 1600s to 1700s. The prints were executed by means of sets of separate blocks, each carved to print a different color.

Description

In the 1600s, printing flourished in such Jiangnan cities as Nanjing, Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Huizhou, evolving from privately enjoyed illustrated books printed in color to more commercialized single-sheet color prints that were hung on walls and became part of the rich urban visual culture.
A multicolor woodblock print centers an ornate, shallow bowl atop a decorative black and gold pedestal. Within the pink patterned interior, two pale green lotus seed pods and a smooth green fruit rest beside a cluster of vibrant reddish pink water caltrops. The bowl’s exterior is ringed with a blue band of leaf motifs. Below, the pedestal’s curved legs are adorned with delicate white flowers and shimmering gold patterns, creating a balanced, symmetrical composition.

Lotus Seeds and Water Caltrops

1700–1750

Southeast China, Suzhou, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)

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