清中期 銅胎畫琺瑯“慶祐堂製”花卉紋盤|Dish

Unknown

19th century · Painted enamel · Asian Art

This dish illustrates a range of Chinese plants, including peonies, narcissus, and orchids. The presence of differently colored blooms on the same peony branch shows evidence of grafting, a practice that was described in China as early as 1034. Although originally made for a Chinese private commission, such dishes would have appealed to Western traders interested in natural history, who acquired plants from local markets and nurseries. By capturing these flowers in enamel, such a dish might have provided a more secure means of bringing home botanical knowledge.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th century

Medium

Painted enamel

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Bequest of Mary Clark Thompson, 1923