Snuff Bottle depicting mythical creatures from the "Classic of Mountains and Seas" (Shanhaijing)

Gallery 326, Asian Art, third floor

Main Building

Snuff Bottle depicting mythical creatures from the "Classic of Mountains and Seas" (Shanhaijing)

19th century

Artist/maker unknown, Chinese

The images shown on this snuff bottle is based on illustrations in the Chinese text Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shan Hai Jing) that was originally compiled over two thousand years ago. The book contains numerous images of figures based on mythological accounts of the geography and culture of the pre-Qin dynasty (before 221 B.C.). Liu Xin (died A.D. c. 23) edited the version that we know today, which was printed in great numbers during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.

Gallery 326, Asian Art, third floor

Object Details

Title:

Snuff Bottle depicting mythical creatures from the "Classic of Mountains and Seas" (Shanhaijing)

Date:

19th century

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Chinese

Medium:

Porcelain with underglaze red and blue decoration; wood lid; ivory spoon

Dimensions:

2 1/2 x 1 5/8 inches (6.4 x 4.1 cm)

Classification:

Containers

Credit Line:

Gift of Mrs. Charles Platt, 1909

Accession Number:

1909-276

Geography:

Made in China, Asia

Context:

Dynasty: Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)

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Gallery 326, Asian Art, third floor

Main Building

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