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Immortal 18th century China This pair (with 02.18.411) of sculptural figures is representative of jade carving from the imperial Qing workshop. The figures’ substantial size exemplifies the imperial use of precious luxury materials. Designed as two boy attendants holding plates, the figures are depicted with subtle, mysterious smiles, an indication that they are not from the mundane world but hail from an immortal land. The story of how they entered The Met collection is also extraordinary. The figure on the left was a gift to the Museum from the prominent jade collector and museum trustee Heb

Immortal 18th century China This pair (with 02.18.411) of sculptural figures is representative of jade carving from the imperial Qing workshop. The figures’ substantial size exemplifies the imperial use of precious luxury materials. Designed as two boy attendants holding plates, the figures are depicted with subtle, mysterious smiles, an indication that they are not from the mundane world but hail from an immortal land. The story of how they entered The Met collection is also extraordinary. The figure on the left was a gift to the Museum from the prominent jade collector and museum trustee Heb Stock Photo
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Image details

Contributor:

MET/BOT / Alamy Stock Photo

Image ID:

2HHTF9G

File size:

34.3 MB (674.9 KB Compressed download)

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Dimensions:

3001 x 4000 px | 25.4 x 33.9 cm | 10 x 13.3 inches | 300dpi

Date taken:

19 January 2022

More information:

This image is a public domain image, which means either that copyright has expired in the image or the copyright holder has waived their copyright. Alamy charges you a fee for access to the high resolution copy of the image.

This image could have imperfections as it’s either historical or reportage.

Immortal 18th century China This pair (with 02.18.411) of sculptural figures is representative of jade carving from the imperial Qing workshop. The figures’ substantial size exemplifies the imperial use of precious luxury materials. Designed as two boy attendants holding plates, the figures are depicted with subtle, mysterious smiles, an indication that they are not from the mundane world but hail from an immortal land. The story of how they entered The Met collection is also extraordinary. The figure on the left was a gift to the Museum from the prominent jade collector and museum trustee Heber Bishop, in 1902. The Irvings spotted and acquired the other figure decades later, in 1982, and realized it was unquestionably the companion to the Bishop piece. In 2015, the Irving jade was formally gifted to the Museum, and the pair of boys were reunited after a century!. Immortal 39839