We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands.

Title

Octagonal covered box decorated with a crab on the lid

14th century-16th century

Artists

Unknown Artist

Alternate image of Octagonal covered box decorated with a crab on the lid by
Alternate image of Octagonal covered box decorated with a crab on the lid by

  • Details

    Place where the work was made
    Hanoi → Vietnam
    Date
    14th century-16th century
    Media category
    Ceramic
    Materials used
    porcellanous ware with underglaze blue decoration and a thick white glaze
    Dimensions
    7.1 x 9.5 cm :

    a - base, 4.5 x 9.5 cm

    b - lid, 2.8 x 9.5 cm

    Credit
    Gift of Max and Cynthia Loveday 2011
    Location
    Not on display
    Accession number
    139.2011.a-b
    Copyright

    Reproduction requests

    Share

  • About

    Crabs were popularly produced on Vietnamese and Chinese export ceramics because they represented fertility. Boxes such as this were made in the Hanoi region during the 14th-16th centuries, and in southern China in the 17th century and later.

    Asian Art Department, AGNSW, February 2010.

  • Places

    Where the work was made

    Hanoi