Garment hook

second half 19th century

Ruyi means "as you wish" in Chinese, and a ruyi-shaped hook is an elegant object of no apparent practical use. The head of a ruyi resembles the lingzhi, or fungus of immortality. Every surface of this small object is carved with an auspicious
symbol: the shou character for longevity, the bat for blessings, the stone chime for celebration, and the stylized shuangxi character for marital bliss.

Nephrite

9/16 x 4 x 13/16 in. (1.43 x 10.16 x 2.07 cm)

Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection

33.1290

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Live Long and Prosper: Auspicious Motifs in East Asian Art, May 23, 2009 - February 21, 2010

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