{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O74332"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O74332/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AV3124/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AV3124/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AV3124","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2017JU6257","copyright":"©Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O74332/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O74332","accessionNumber":"380:1, 2-1872","objectType":"Pendant","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"This 19th-century example of concentric ivory balls was produced for the European market. It consists of 18 concentric layers of ivory, all of them movable. Such a highly decorative item was not a significant form in Chinese interiors, although Chinese writers mention them, calling them 'devil-work spheres'.\r\n\r\nSets of concentric ivory balls were and remain one of the most fascinating products of the trade in decorative items. There neither is nor was any great mystery about how these ivory balls were made as several clear descriptions are available.","physicalDescription":"Ivory pendant of concentric balls, surmounted by a group in high relief, over which is a circular canopy with hook for suspension; the whole elaborately pierced and wrought with figures, flowers, and diaper patterns.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"ivory","id":"AAT11857"}],"techniques":[{"text":"carved","id":"AAT53149"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Ivory, carved","categories":[],"styles":[{"text":"Qing","id":"AAT18478"},{"text":"Daoguang","id":"AAT18490"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"EAS","id":"THES48596"},"images":["2006AV3124","2017JU6257"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"BritishMuseum","id":"THES50124"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"BritishMuseum","id":"THES50124"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Concentric balls","id":""}],[{"text":"Canopy","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Guangzhou","id":"x32464"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""},{"place":{"text":"China","id":"x29398"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"ca. 1820-1850","earliest":"1815-01-01","latest":"1850-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"45.7","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Diameter","value":"117","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Purchased from Mrs. Taylor, accessioned in 1872. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project.\nPurchased from Mrs Taylor for £17 in 1872.\n\nSets of concentric ivory balls were and remain one of the most fascinating products of the trade in decorative items. This 19th century example was produced for the European market. Such highly decorative item was not a significant form in Chinese interiors, although Chinese writers mentioned them, calling them 'devilwork spheres'. This example consists of 18 concentric layers of ivory, all of them movable. There is no great mystery about how they were made, and one of several clear descriptions can be found in S. Wells Williams' 'The Chinese Commercial Guide' of 1863.;;","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Concentric ball with chain and pendant, carved ivory, China","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Clunas, Craig. <u>Chinese Carving</u>. London: Sun Tree Publishing Ltd in association with the Victoria & Albert Museum, 1996. p. 26, fig. 18."},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Clunas, Craig (ed). <u>Chinese Export Art and Design</u>. London: V&A Publications, 1987. photograph on p. 103, no. 81."}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"figures","id":"x31098"},{"text":"flowers","id":"x35571"},{"text":"diaper pattern","id":"AAT10144"},{"text":"蟠龍","id":"CIT283686"},{"text":"蓮瓣","id":"CIT0285214"},{"text":"纏枝花卉","id":"CIT282952"},{"text":"人物","id":"CIT282417"},{"text":"樓閣","id":"CIT282383"},{"text":"草木叢","id":"CIT278408"},{"text":"開光","id":"CIT283432"},{"text":"錦地","id":"CIT283420"}],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"PENDENT OF CONCENTRIC BALLS. Ivory.\r\nCHINESE; late 18th century\r\n380-1872","date":{"text":"pre 2005","earliest":null,"latest":"2004-12-31"}},{"text":"CARVING. Ivory. A set of concentric balls with pendant, surmounted by a group in high relief, over which is a circular canopy with hook for suspension; the whole elaborately pierced and wrought with figures, flowers, and diaper patterns. CHINESE. End of 18th century. H. 18 in., W of outer ball, 4 3/4 in.\r\nBought, 17l\r\n380-'72.","date":{"text":"pre 2005","earliest":null,"latest":"2004-12-31"}},{"text":"81 PENDENT OF CONCENTRIC BALLS\r\ncarved ivory\r\nAbout 1820-1840\r\nLength 45.7 cm\r\n380-1872","date":{"text":"pre 2005","earliest":null,"latest":"2004-12-31"}}],"partNumbers":["380:1-1872","380:2-1872"],"accessionNumberNum":"380","accessionNumberPrefix":"","accessionYear":1872,"otherNumbers":[{"type":{"text":"Negative number","id":"THES50273"},"number":"79438"}],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE","Concentric balls","Canopy"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-05-15","recordCreationDate":"2003-02-13","availableToBook":false}}