Skip to main content
Advanced Search
Treasure Urn
Treasure Urn

Treasure Urn

Original Language Title聚寶盆 清末民初
CultureChinese
Datelate 19th-early 20th century
MediumWoodblock print; ink and color on paper
DimensionsOverall: 13 × 10 1/8 inches (33.02 × 25.72 cm)
Credit LineBequest of Laurence Sickman
Object numberF88-44/274
On View
Not on view
Collections
Gallery Label
A long, long time ago, a fisherman found in his fishnet an urn that could replicate everything placed in it. He placed money and jewelry in the urn and soon became rich. The treasure urn is similar to the horn of plenty in Western art and can also be a bold emblem of great wealth. Here, four boys flank a wide-mouthed urn inscribed with three Chinese characters: ju bao pen, meaning "gathering," "treasure" and "urn." A dragon flies out from the gleaming jewels and coins. Underneath the urn is a huge gold ingot.
Information about a particular artwork or image, including provenance information, is based upon historic information and may not be currently accurate or complete. Research on artwork and images is an ongoing process, and the information about a particular artwork or image may not reflect the most current information available to the Museum. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about a particular artwork or image, please e-mail provenance@nelson-atkins.org.