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BOY ASTRIDE A QILIN (ONE OF TWO)

Creator(s): Unknown

On view in: Pavilion Hallway


About this object

cThe qilin stands on carved jade rockwork and the sculpture rests on a teak base carved with openwork leaves. The qilin delivers baby boys much like the western stork, and this figure represents a wish for male offspring, with the ruyi translating as "as you wish" and the lotus branch, or lian, a homophone for "continuous." Thus, the rebus "as you wish, continuous generations of sons," an auspicious subject in Chinese art.

Object name:
BOY ASTRIDE A QILIN (ONE OF TWO)
Made from:
Jade
Made in:
China
Date made:
Mid 19th c.-Early 20th c.
Size:
15.9 × 11.4 cm (6 1/4 × 4 1/2 in.)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:
62.114.1
Class:
HARDSTONE
Signature marks:
Credit line:
Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973