Accession Number1983/1.387
TitleChinese New Year's Poster
Artist(s)Artist UnknownObject Creation Datecirca 1940Medium & Supportcolor woodblock print on paperDimensions ( )
Credit LineTransfer from the Asian Art Archives, Department of History of ArtSubject matterThis image shows two boys at play in a palace, surrounded by a circular floral border. The boys are dressed in elaborate red robes, signifying that they are upperclass children. The child on the right is holding a large bag filled with various toys. Four Chinese characters on top of the image translate to "good luck." In the Ming dynasty, families hoped for noble sons who would excel in their studies and place high in the civil service examination. Garden plants and toys serve as symbolic references to wealth, fertility, and distinguished success in officialdom.
Physical DescriptionThis print features a circular floral border and images of two child figures at play with a large bag of various toys. The children are dressed in elaborate red clothing, and there is a palace in the background.
Primary Object Classification Print Primary Object TypeposterCollection AreaAsianRightsIf you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit
http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Keywords
children (people by age group)
palaces
play (recreation)
posters
sons (people)