Department:
The Museum Proper
Replica or Original:
Not a Replica
On Display, In Storage, or in a Private Offsite Collection:
On Display
Primary Material:
Enamel
Medium:
Painted Plate
Dimensions:
13.25" x 1.75”
Classification/Category:
Furnishings
Specific Classification:
Decorative Plate
Notable Signatures,
Inscriptions, and/or Markings:
Donated by:
Donated by the Fok Ying Tung Foundation 霍英東基金會捐贈
Accession Number
1993.001.001
Artifact Date:
Unknown
Unknown
Artifact Era/Dynasty:
Unknown
Creator:
Chinese
Creator Ancestry:
There are four main species of peony flowers. The tree peony is a native species found within China, extending to Southern Europe and California. The peony flower functions as an artistic cultural symbol. The peony plant was cultivated by imperials and royalty in the 6th and 7th centuries. This cultivation further connects its symbology with economic rank and status. The tree peony "male vermillion flower" coresponds with the term "king of flowers".
Enamel was a practice originating from France, and was introduced to Guangdong, China during the 16th century. Enamel was prized by the early Qing dynasty Emperors.
Artifact Date:
Unknown
Artifact Era/Dynasty:
Unknown
Creator:
Unknown
Creator Ancestory:
Chinese
Catalogue Entry
Online References:
Welch, Patricia Bjaaland. "Chinese Art. A Guide to Motifs and Visual Imagery". North Clarendon. Tuttle Publishing. 2008.
Winfield, Andy. "The pretty peony – a flower of culture": https://botanic-garden.bristol.ac.uk/2017/07/10/the-pretty-peony-a-flower-of-culture/
Department:
The Museum Proper
On Display, In Storage, or in a Private Offsite Collection:
On Display
Replica or Original:
Not a Replica
A Guangdong Enamel plate with a peony design and gold background.
以牡丹和金色背景襯托的廣東琺瑯盤。
Listen
Classification/Category:
Furnishings
Specific Classification:
Decorative Plate
Notable Signatures,
Inscriptions, and/or Markings: