Skip to main content
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Bowl
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami. All rights reserved.

Bowl

Dateearly 18th century
Mediumjadite
DimensionsOverall: 1 3/8 x 4 13/16 in. (3.5 x 12.2 cm)
ClassificationsContainers
Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Tatham through exchange
Terms
    Object number89.0047
    DescriptionThe union of the tortoise and the snake symbolizes the north and the Black Emperor. Unlike other directions, the north was never worshipped in pre-dynastic times because it was feared to be the home of the destructive god of the ocean wind. The Han rulers declared that they ruled under the protection of water and the north, and so sacrificed to the Black Emperor. Note the presence of these two creatures on the base of the sculpture of Zhenwu, Lord of the North Cardinal Point (91.0302).
    On View
    On view
    Collections
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    18th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    19th century or earlier
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    early 19th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Calima
    300-1300
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Greater Nicoya
    ca. 1000-1350
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    late 19th to early 20th century (printed 1992)
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    16th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Vicús
    200 BCE-200 CE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Salinar
    500-300 BCE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Giriama people
    late 19th century