Candlestand
Chinese Artist
Glass was rarely manufactured in China, so other translucent materials were used instead for lanterns. This lantern was made from slices of ox horn that were soaked in warm water and worked together to form a single sheet. The sheets were then hammered thin and shaped into shades and painted on the outside. Imagine how these lanterns would have looked when the candle inside was lit!
Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust
early 17th century
Huanghuali wood
60.0 x 152.4in
64-4/14 B
Image and text: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 2023
Where you'll find this
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Permanent collection