Han Double-Layered Box in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, July 2017

Double-Layered Box, 2nd century BC


Object Details

Period: Western Han dynasty (206 B.C.–A.D. 9)

Date: 2nd century BC

Culture: China

Medium: Lacquer over wood

Dimensions: H. 6 5/8 in. (16.9 cm); Diam. 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm)

Classification: Lacquer

Credit Line: Lent by Hunan Provincial Museum


This luxurious box formed part of the deceased’s personal effects, unearthed together with a large group of musical instruments and wood figurines of performers and waiters. A bronze mirror found in its lower layer indicates that it was a cosmetics box. The red and green clouds painted on its black-lacquered surface are outlined meticulously in white. Exceptionally, these patterns were applied using mineral pigments mixed with oil; among more than five hundred pieces of lacquer excavated at Mawangdui, only a few objects were painted in this way.


Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/696590