Description:

With their many red seeds, pomegranates are symbols of fertility in China and other countries. They are also considered to be one of the ‘three blessed fruit’, along with the peach and the ‘Buddha’s hand citron’. Together the three fruit symbolise great fertility, long life and happiness.

The imperial workshop records for 1773 in Beijing mention ‘a pair pomegranate-shaped jars, red overlay’ for the Emperor to give to the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism.

Glass, carved overlay
Height: 5.1 cm, diameter: 5.3 cm, neck diameter: 1.3 cm
One of a pair with N4659

Chinese Description:

石榴式水中丞 中国，清代，约1700-1800 在中国及许多国家，多籽的石榴一直是百子千孙的象征。民间更将桃子、香櫞与石榴并列为「三多」，是多寿、多福、多男子的吉祥图案。 玻璃，套料碾琢

Creator: Unknown

Date: 1700-1800, Qing dynasty

Copyright: Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives

Object ID:N4658