Accession Number2015/2.170.2
TitleQilin Delivering Sons (Diptych)
Artist(s)ChineseArtist NationalityChinese (culture or style)Object Creation Date19th-20th centuryMedium & Supportwoodblock print on paperDimensions 20 ¼ in x 11 ⅝ in (51.43 cm x 29.53 cm)
Credit LineGift of Sharlynn and Andrew Circo, in memory of Sotokichi KatsuizumiSubject matterThe background is silk-style and filled with 'auspicious symbols' including Buddhist emblems and attributes of the eight immortals. A chinese character on the left of the figures translates to "rich and abundant." Two figures are riding an animal known as the Qilin, a mythical hoofed animal with dragon-like features, also sometimes known as a Chinese unicorn. The Qilin is supposedly a gatekeeper that guarded a fairy's cave in the mountains. This animal is known as a symbol to provide prosperity or serenity, and when it has babies on the back, such as this image, it is bringing extraordinary children from heaven to parents.
Physical DescriptionRight panel of a diptych. Two figures riding an animal face left and there is a Chinese character to the left of the figures. The bankground is green and filled with clouds and symbolic objects.
Primary Object Classification Print Primary Object Typecolor printCollection 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)
human figures (visual works)
qilin
unicorns
wealth