The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 21, 2025

Miniature Garden Seat

late 1700s–early 1800s

China, Qing dynasty

(1644-1911), Qianlong mark and reign (1736-95)
ivory with pigments
Overall: 4.4 x 3.8 cm (1 3/4 x 1 1/2 in.)
Bequest of Mrs. Severance A. Millikin 1989.330
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

A servant carrying a qin, zither, accompanies two gentlemen admiring the trees.

Description

In the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), luxury items became more affordable to larger parts of the society, including women, merchants, and literati in non-official positions. Imperial patronage and a growing urban population encouraged consumption of luxury goods and local craftmanship. This ivory carved and painted to resemble a miniature garden seat illustrates the superb skills and the creative mind of the talented artisans who sought clients on a competitive market.
  • ?–1961
    Dr. Sherman E. [1918–2008] and Mrs. Ruth Alida Ward Lee [1917–2011], Cleveland, OH, to Severance and Greta Millikin
    1961–1989
    Severance A. [1895–1985] and Greta [Marguerite Steckerl] Millikin [1903–1989], Cleveland, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1989–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Catalogue of the Severance and Greta Millikin Collection. Cleveland, OH: Cleveland Museum of Art, 1990. p. 93, no. 210
  • China through the Magnifying Glass: Masterpieces in Miniature and Detail. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (December 11, 2022-February 26, 2023).
    The Severance and Greta Millikin Collection. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (July 5-September 2, 1990).
  • {{cite web|title=Miniature Garden Seat|url=false|author=|year=late 1700s–early 1800s|access-date=21 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1989.330