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Heavily and finely cast as a three-legged bixi, a mythological dragon-tortoise with dragon-like head with forked antlers and bushy tail, the carapace inlaid with a cloisonné enamel fragment of 16th century date decorated with thee flower heads and green leafy tendrils reserved on a turquoise-blue ground
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Courtesy of the Harn Museum of Art, Photography by Randy Batista

Weight

Artist Chinese Artist
Date17th - 18th Century
Place of originChina, Asia
MediumBronze and enamel
Dimensions1 1/2 x 2 5/8 x 2 5/8 in. (3.8 x 6.7 x 6.7 cm)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineBequest of Dr. David A. Cofrin
Object number2009.48.51
Collections
Visual DescriptionHeavily and finely cast as a three-legged bixi, a mythological dragon-tortoise with dragon-like head with forked antlers and bushy tail, the carapace inlaid with a cloisonné enamel fragment of 16th century date decorated with thee flower heads and green leafy tendrils reserved on a turquoise-blue ground
Bibliography
Kaikodo Journal XXII
A fine miniature cloisonné enamel vase of baluster form, the rounded body set with two high relief gilt-bronze mask handles and decorated with lotus flowers and leaves, the tall flared foot decorated with flower heads and leaf lappets, the tall flared neck similarly decorated. All enameled in red, yellow, white, light and dark green, pink, and lapis blue on a turquoise blue ground.
Miniature Baluster Vase
Chinese Artist
18th Century
A fine cloisonné enamel vase of globular bottle form with a cylindrical neck and low gilt foot rim, decorated with ruyi-head lappets at the foot and around the shoulder; the body decorated with formalized lotus flowers, leaves and stems; the neck decorated with flowers above tall leaf-form lappets; all enameled in red, yellow, white, lapis blue, light and dark green, and aubergine on a turquoise ground.
Miniature Bottle Vase
Chinese Artist
18th Century
Cloisonné enamel on metal with gilt bronze lion handles.
Meiping Vase
Chinese Artist
Ming dynasty (1368-1644)
An oval cloisonne enamel tray with a white dove depicted in 'musen' (the wireless technique) and the wired technique on pale ground. His beak, eye and legs with finely detailed wire technique. The tray rim of 'shakudo.' The underside of the tray with characteristic stylized blossoms and silver wire signature.
Tray with White Bird
Namikawa Sosuke
c. 1895-1905
Meiji period (19th century). Modeled in the outline of a plum blossom and designed in silver and gold wire–outlined cloisonne and wireless enamel with two birds perched on a branch of flowering pink plum, the lower portion of the background shaded gray and the sky area shaded blue, the underside decorated with chocolate-brown cherry florets outlined in gold wire on a dark brown ground, rim in gold and copper shakudo metal.
Tray with Birds and Cherry Blossoms
Namikawa Sosuke
c. 1900-1910
A sea shell forming the body of the gilt-bronze animal lying semi-recumbent with legs tucked neatly under the body and with head raised up, with antlers and ears flared back to hold the shell in place
Deer-Shaped Mounted Shell
Chinese Artist
Western Han Dynasty (206 B.C. - 9 A.D.)
A deer’s head with four birds perched on its antlers; the branches of a tree extend downward from the deer’s neck; the upper half of the composition includes a network of branches set against a green background.
Amanecer primaveral
Osmeivy Ortega ("Oz")
undated
Black and white composite photograph. A small human figure runs along the bottom left. Thin, dark, ink-like tendrils rise upwards through a cloudy, swirling background. A large dark circle floats in the upper right corner.
Untitled
Jerry Uelsmann
1994
Black and white print of a blooming passion flower on a leafy vine. The flower features radiating petals and an intricate center, surrounded by textured leaves, coiled tendrils, and a closed bud, set against a dark, softly shaded background.
Passion Flower
Lamar Baker
c. 1935 - 1940
A dark wooden mask featuring incised geometric patterns and large, deep circular eye sockets with raised center pegs. It is topped with a thick crown of dark feathers and fibers, with long, thin tendrils hanging down from the sides.
Mask, ishyeenmaal, isehndemale or pwoom itok
Kuba Artist
20th century
The emphasis on the smooth sensuous surface, fluidity of lines and the attention to detail are all typical elements of the eighteenth century carving tradition. Fashioned of a pure white jade, the citron is entwined with leaves and accompanied by a bat and a peach. The long delicately carved tendrils bend gracefully at the tips, resembling Buddha's hand in the classic position. The citron symbolizes wishes for longevity as well as wealth, since it illustrates the gesture of grasping money. The …
Finger Citron and Peach Group
Chinese Artist
18th-19th century
Baluster form vase with several bands of decoration including flowers, birds, dragons and phoenixes.
Vase with Dragon and Phoenix Motifs
Japanese Artist
late 19th Century

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