清康熙 景德鎮窯青花五倫圖煨瓷瓶|Vase decorated with auspicious animals

Unknown

early 18th century · Soft paste porcelain painted in underglaze cobalt blue (Jingdezhen ware) · Asian Art

The five pairs of birds on this vase stand for the five basic relationships (wulun 五倫) in premodern Chinese society. Phoenixes on perforated rocks near magnolia trees symbolize the relationship between ruler and official. Cranes to the left of them represent father and son. Mandarin ducks swimming by lotuses in the pond signal husband and wife. Two wagtails resting atop the magnolia trees stand for siblings, and orioles in flight evoke friendship.

Artist

Unknown

Date

early 18th century

Medium

Soft paste porcelain painted in underglaze cobalt blue (Jingdezhen ware)

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Bequest of Benjamin Altman, 1913