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BOY RIDING A DEER (ONE OF TWO)

Creator(s): Unknown

On view in: Pavilion Hallway


About this object

The jade is pale green and lavender with flecks of green. Each of the two mirror-image sculptures are carved to depict a boy holding a branch with pomegranate, peach, and Buddha-hand citron riding a prancing deer with antlers standing on a rockwork ground. A lingzhi, or polyporus lucidus, fungus grows behind each deer's proper right hoof. Each sculpture rests on a teak base carved with branches and leaves. Deer, or lu, in Chinese are symbolic of riches and long life. It is said to be the only animal able to find the sacred fungus of immortality. The fruit held by the boys are the sandou, or "The Three Plenties," a rebus representing immortality (peach), male offspring (pomegranate), and blessings (Buddha-hand citron). Thus, the meaning of this sculpture is a visual wish for long life, generations of sons, riches, and other blessings, a common Chinese auspicious symbol.

Object name:
BOY RIDING A DEER (ONE OF TWO)
Made from:
Jade
Made in:
Hong Kong, China
Date made:
Late 19th c.-Mid 20th c.
Size:
14 × 12.3 cm (5 1/2 × 4 7/8 in.)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:
62.75.1
Class:
HARDSTONE
Signature marks:
TAG on base: Made in Hong Kong
Credit line:
Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973