Cassia Tree and Jade Rabbit
Cassia Tree and Jade Rabbit
Cassia Tree and Jade Rabbit
Cassia Tree and Jade Rabbit

Currently not on view

Cassia Tree and Jade Rabbit,

mid–15th century (?)

Xu Boming 許伯明, attributed to, active mid-15th century
Chinese
Ming dynasty, 1368–1644 | Qing dynasty, 1644–1912
y1929-2

Old legends associate both the cassia tree and the rabbit with the moon, making this a lunar landscape. The Moon Rabbit, or Jade Rabbit, is often depicted pounding an elixir of immortality under a cassia tree. In this more naturalistic rendering, a rabbit scampers through a field of blue-and-green rocks, colorful flowering plants, and bamboo. In the upper left, a stream flows through the landscape; the cassia overhangs the scene in the upper right.

Information

Title
Cassia Tree and Jade Rabbit
Dates

mid–15th century (?)

Maker
Xu Boming 許伯明 , attributed to
Medium
Hanging scroll; ink and color silk
Dimensions
Painting: 166 x 108.3 cm. (65 3/8 x 42 5/8 in.) Mount: 325.5 x 115.8 cm. (128 1/8 x 45 9/16 in.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase, Morse Fund
Object Number
y1929-2
Place Made

Asia, China

Signatures
unsigned
Inscription
Outer Titleslip 明许伯明岩桂玉兔圖 Ming dynasty XuBoming, “Cliffside Cassia and Jade Rabbit” painting Titleslip 明许伯明岩桂月兔圖
Marks/Labels/Seals
Nine characters in ink on label adhered to edge of rolled scroll; Nine characters in ink on label adhered to silk bag
Culture
Chinese
Type
chinese painting styles, paintings, scroll paintings, hanging scrolls
Materials
silk (textile), ink
Subject
flowers (plants), trees, landscapes (representations), rock (inorganic material), bamboo, rabbits, rivers, rapids, green (color), blue

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The Museum regularly researches its objects and their collecting histories, updating its records to reflect new information. We also strive to catalogue works of art using language that is consistent with how people, subjects, artists, and cultures describe themselves. As this effort is ongoing, the Museum’s records may be incomplete or contain terms that are no longer acceptable. We welcome your feedback, questions, and additional information that you feel may be useful to us. Email us at collectionsinfo@princeton.edu.

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