Period:Ming dynasty (1368–1644), Yongle period (1403–24)
Date:early 15th century
Culture:China
Medium:Carved red lacquer
Dimensions:H. 1/8 in. (0.3 cm); Diam. 12 3/4 in. (32.4 cm)； Diam. of foot 9 7/8 in. (25.1 cm)
Classification:Lacquer
Credit Line:Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015
Accession Number:2015.500.1.29
The design of two birds among flowers was popular in Chinese carved lacquers, particularly from the thirteenth to the early fifteenth century. In this example, a pair of peafowls flies amid lush blossoming peonies. Peacocks were found only in forests in far southern China and Southeast Asia, and were therefore considered exotic and auspicious birds in Chinese culture. They were also the insignia for the third rank of civil officials in the Ming and Qing dynasties.