Skip to main content
Advanced Search
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Melon Vine with Squirrels
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami. All rights reserved.

Melon Vine with Squirrels

Date18th century
Mediumnephrite
DimensionsOverall: 4 x 6 x 2 1/4 in. (10.2 x 15.2 x 5.7 cm)
ClassificationsVisual Works
Credit LineGift of Stephen Junkunc III
Terms
    Object number74.016.001
    DescriptionThis composition would probably have been made for the curio cabinet of a wealthy scholar-official. The Chinese delighted in placing objects of this type in their studios to provide a distraction to the eye while engaged in more official pursuits. The symbolism of the melon, with its many seeds, is clearly a reference to fertility. The vine and stems (wan dai) are a homophone for the phrase wan dai, or ten thousand generations. It is unclear if there is a secondary meaning for squirrel or songshu (literally pine tree rat), and it is probable they were incorporated into the composition simply for enjoyment.
    On View
    On view
    Collections
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Mountain
    18th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Inkstone
    Artist Unknown
    19th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Bowl
    early 18th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    The Triumph of Caesar
    Jacopo Palma il Vecchio
    ca. 1510
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Los Aficionados
    Red Grooms
    1990
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami, image before sleeves were extended
    Manchu Empress's Semi-formal Twelve Symbol Court Robe
    late 19th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Woman's Jacket
    Artist Unknown
    late 19th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Squirrel
    Gran Chiriquí
    ca. 800-1200
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Still Life with Melon, Grapes and Apples
    Pierre Daura
    1968
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Portrait of Jean Baptiste Budes
    Justus van Egmont
    after 1656
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Portrait of a Monk
    Artist Unknown
    1859
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Bowl
    Maya (archaeological culture)
    ca. 600-900
    eMuseum
    Copyright © eMuseum