Porcelain Urns with Mythical Beasts
First Floor:
- Mrs. Benjamin N. Duke (painting)
- Benjamin N. Duke (painting)
- Tending The Flock (painting)
- Beach Scene (painting)
- Mary L. Duke (painting)
- Angier B. Duke (painting)
- William K. Boyd (painting)
- Thomas J. Jarvis (painting)
- Washington Duke (painting)
- Duke University in Picture (book)
- Bessie Whitted Spence (painting)
- Benjamin N. Duke (painting)
- James H. Southgate (painting)
- Grand Master Clock
- Eva Earnshaw Malone (painting)
- Benjamin N. Duke (marble bust)
- Library Table
Second Floor:
- James A. Thomas and Two Eunuchs (photograph)
- Dorothy Quincy Hancock Read (photograph)
- Generalissimo and Madame Chiang Kai-shek (photograph)
- Sarah P. Duke (painting)
- Mary Duke Lyon (painting)
- The Reapers (painting)
- Marble Lions (statues)
Thomas Room:
- James A. Thomas (painting)
- Porcelain Urns with Mythical Beasts
- Embroidered Bedspread
- Chinese Rug
- Ishii Vases
- Carved Chests
- Wei To (embroidery)
- Elderly Man (scroll)
- People in Outdoor Setting (scroll)
- Lady in Red (scroll)
- Calligraphy (scroll)
- Porcelain Lion Lamps
- Table with Marble Top
- Cheang Park Chew (painting)
- Porcelain Urns with Lids
- Chinese Cabinet
- Imperial Robe
- Coromandel Screen
- Teakwood Tables
- Altar Table
- Embroidered Scroll with Nine Figures
- Winter Landscape (ink on silk)
Porcelain Urns with Mythical Beasts, Qing Dynasty, during the reign of Kangxi, 1622-1723, 1'-6" high, 12" wide at the widest point
On the mantel of the north fireplace are a pair of urns with lids, which date from the Qing Dynasty, during the reign of Kangxi (1622-1723) . A colorful variation of the mythical beast qilin dominates the central medallions, front and back. Considered to be the Chinese counterpart to the western unicorn (generally shown with one horn - unlike the two-horned creatures on these urns), qilin were benevolent beasts, who heralded longevity, prosperity, and married bliss. It is said that qilin were seen at the time of Confucius' birth.
The beast is also a popular emblem on art pieces intended for scholars. Other symbols present on the necks of urns also note they were meant for scholars: scrolls, books, chess boards, and zithers. The ribbon tied around each symbol conveys its sanctity and significance, much the way the halo does in western art. A variety of butterflies, another symbol for longevity, fills the pale yellow background.
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