Melon Vine with Squirrels
Date18th century
Mediumnephrite
DimensionsOverall: 4 x 6 x 2 1/4 in. (10.2 x 15.2 x 5.7 cm)
ClassificationsVisual Works
Credit LineGift of Stephen Junkunc III
Object number74.016.001
DescriptionThis composition would probably have been made for the curio cabinet of a wealthy scholar-official. The Chinese delighted in placing objects of this type in their studios to provide a distraction to the eye while engaged in more official pursuits. The symbolism of the melon, with its many seeds, is clearly a reference to fertility. The vine and stems (wan dai) are a homophone for the phrase wan dai, or ten thousand generations. It is unclear if there is a secondary meaning for squirrel or songshu (literally pine tree rat), and it is probable they were incorporated into the composition simply for enjoyment.
