Period:Ming dynasty (1368–1644), Jiajing period (1522–66) Date:16th century Culture:China Medium:Carved red, green, and black lacquer Dimensions:H. 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm); W. 12 3/4 in. (32.4 cm); D. 12 7/8 in. (32.7 cm) Classification:Lacquer Credit Line:John Stewart Kennedy Fund, 1913 Accession Number:13.100.140 This vessel ’ s shape and pattern identify it as a rare example of a rice measure used in Daoist rituals. On each side is a figure in a Daoist robe with one of four animals (dragon, ox, dog, and goat). These animals represent constellation deities from the set of twenty-eight mansions in Chinese astronomy, which reflect the movement of the moon in a sidereal month.
Period:Ming dynasty (1368–1644), Jiajing period (1522–66) Date:16th century Culture:China Medium:Carved red, green, and black lacquer Dimensions:H. 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm); W. 12 3/4 in. (32.4 cm); D. 12 7/8 in. (32.7 cm) Classification:Lacquer Credit Line:John Stewart Kennedy Fund, 1913 Accession Number:13.100.140 This vessel ’ s shape and pattern identify it as a rare example of a rice measure used in Daoist rituals. On each side is a figure in a Daoist robe with one of four animals (dragon, ox, dog, and goat). These animals represent constellation deities from the set of twenty-eight mansions in Chinese astronomy, which reflect the movement of the moon in a sidereal month.