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Public Domain

Figure of a Beauty

1767

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Figure of a Beauty

1767

Physical Qualities Ivory, 25.4 cm. (10 in.)
Credit Line Gift of Rhoda Oakley, Baltimore
Object Number 1997.275
Tall slender beauty (meiren) has hair drawn up into a soft top-knot pushed forward and held by a hairpin, with a peony blossom above each ear. She holds, in her left hand, a branch of 6 full blossoms (peonies?) up to her left ear, and in her right hand, a flute tied with a tasseled cord. Her gown is tied at the waist with a long tasseled cord decorated with a jade plaque inscribed, 'long life'.
The Baltimore Museum of Art by gift, 1997; Rhoda Sparler Oakley, Baltimore; from father, John J. Sparler (may have purchased from Lilian Nassau, New York, possibly in the 1950s)

Inscribed: Inscribed on jade plaque: ' ' [shou, long life]

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