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FIGURINE OF A CRANE WITH FUNGUS OF IMMORTALITY (ONE OF TWO)

Creator(s): Unknown

On view in: Pavilion Hallway


About this object

One of two mirror-image carvings in grayish jade or agate, each crane stands on rockwork and turns its head to look over its back. In front, the fungus of immortality, lingzhi or polyporous lucida, grows. Each sculpture rests on a simple wooden base. The Manchurian crane, grus montignesia, is the most celebrated bird in Chinese legends and it is endowed with many mythical attributes. Because its was believed to live to fabulous ages of up to 600 years, it is symbolic of longevity, as amplified by the fungus of immortality growing in front of it.

Object name:
FIGURINE OF A CRANE WITH FUNGUS OF IMMORTALITY (ONE OF TWO)
Made from:
Jade
Made in:
China
Date made:
1875-1911
Size:
14 cm (5 1/2 in.)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:
62.85.2
Class:
HARDSTONE
Signature marks:
Credit line:
Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973