Curio in National Palace Museum, Qing dynasty (1644-1911) part1

Welcome to the National Palace Museum's collection of curios from the Qing dynasty! These items are some of the most unique artifacts from this period, and they provide us with a glimpse into the culture and lifestyle of the time. You will find a Planter with a coral carving of the planetary deity Kuixing, a Gilt flint case with coral-and-turquoise inlay, a Bamboo Water Container in the Shape of a Lotus Leaf, a Champleve Box with Filigree Work, an Ivory Four-tiered Food-Carrying Case in Openwork Relief, a Meat-shaped Stone, a Set of Square Maki-e Lacquer Boxes decorated with Cherry Blossom Designs, a Ganlan Olive Stone Miniature Boat with the Ode to the Red Cliff Carved on the Bottom, a Pair of Gilded Bronze Pocket Watches Decorated with Painted Enamel, and a Gold Mandala with Turquoise Inlay. We hope you enjoy exploring these incredible artifacts!

1. Planter with a coral carving of the planetary deity Kuixing

This planter is a Qing dynasty court sculpture that is a representation of the god Kuei-xing. The god Kuei-xing was a scholar who threw himself into the water and was saved by a fish dragon.

2. Gilt flint case with coral-and-turquoise inlay (with carved lacquer box and Qianlong reign mark)

This rectangular box-shaped case is gilded with gold and has thin iron plates inlaid at the bottom. When you release the coral knob at the top, you can open the case to reveal a long, narrow container inside that is made of thin gold plate.

3. Bamboo Water Container in the Shape of a Lotus Leaf, with signature of Zhu Sansong

The root of a bamboo has been carved here into the shape of a lotus leaf.

4. Champleve Box with Filigree Work

The box is decorated with two levels of gold workmanship. The top level has flowers and a character for longevity, while the bottom level has a bat. The champleve enamelware is lustrous and colorful.

5. Ivory Four-tiered Food-Carrying Case in Openwork Relief

This handled food container is divided into four levels. It was probably used as a decoration, because it is very delicate. It is carved from ivory and inlaid into a frame.

6. Meat-shaped Stone

This "meat-shaped stone" was carved from jasper minerals. The artist used the natural layered patterns to create the appearance of pork skin marinated in soy sauce. Fine holes were drilled on the surface to resemble pores and to make the material easier to dye.

7. Set of Square Maki-e Lacquer Boxes, Decorated with Cherry Blossom Designs

This set of Japanese lacquered boxes includes three small boxes and a shallow dish. Each of the small boxes has a jade object inside, likely because it was used as a curio box during the Qing dynasty.

8. Ganlan Olive Stone Miniature Boat with the Ode to the Red Cliff Carved on the Bottom

Chen Zuzhang, originally from Guandong, carved a small boat out of an olive pit in 1737. On the boat are eight figures, each of which is animated and expressive in an individual manner.

9. Pair of Gilded Bronze Pocket Watches Decorated with Painted Enamel

In the middle of the 18th century, the center for the production of pocket watches was in London. These pocket watches were created through cultural and technological exchange between China and the West. They are a marvel of mechanical and artistic craftsmanship.

10. Gold Mandala with Turquoise Inlay