清乾隆 銅胎畫琺瑯花鳥紋盤|Plate with birds and flowers

Unknown

mid-18th century · Painted enamel on copper alloy · Asian Art

As the first point of contact between Europe and China, Canton (now Guangzhou) was a center of enamel production and distribution throughout the eighteenth and the nineteenth centuries. Wares from the city’s workshops, known as “Canton enamels,” commonly featured popular motifs based on court designs from Beijing. One of the most favored examples depicts lively birds and flowers surrounded by a dense floral border. This design can be found on enameled porcelain created for both domestic and export markets.

Artist

Unknown

Date

mid-18th century

Medium

Painted enamel on copper alloy

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Bequest of Mary Clark Thompson, 1923