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Artifact Date:
Unknown
Artifact Era/Dynasty:
Unknown
Creator:
Unknown
Creator Ancestory:
Chinese
Department:
The Museum Proper
Replica or Original:
Not a Replica
On Display, In Storage, or in a Private Offsite Collection:
On Display
Primary Material:
Porcelain
Medium:
Painted Vase
Dimensions:
5.5" x 6" x 11.5"
Listen
Vase depicting the "Beauties of the Four Seasons".
一個描繪四季美人的花瓶。
Classification/Category:
Furnishings
Specific Classification:
Decorative Vase
Notable Signatures,
Inscriptions, and/or Markings:
Donated by:
Donated by the Fok Ying Tung Foundation
Accession Number
1993.047.001
Catalogue Entry
Vase with designs to reflect "Beauties of the Four Seasons" is an elaborate decorative vase that features visable brushstrokes and soft painterly features. Medium-sized and constructed from porcelain, this impressive vase is equipped with two appointed bronze elephant handles.
Elephants are represented often in Chinese mythology, imagery and folklore. In the Han Dynasty, elephants were domesticated by royalty and utilized by the military. During rituals and ceremonies, elephants were used by the imperial court. When depicted, elephants symbolize luck, wisdom and strength. They are commonly portrayed carrying a vase on their back. Due to similar pronounciation, the words "vase" and "peace" correspond with one another, creating a homophone in relation to meanings of peace and serenity.
Vase with designs to reflect "Beauties of the Four Seasons" depicts someone of a higher class and her servant, in four settings. The robes each woman wears reflects her social status.
《雙環象耳四季美人瓶》是一款精緻的裝飾花瓶,具有可見的筆觸和柔和的繪畫特徵。這款令人印象深刻的花瓶大小中等,由瓷器製成,並配有兩個青銅大象把手。
大象經常出現在中國神話、意象和民間傳說中。在漢朝,大象曾被皇室馴養並被軍隊所使用。在祭祀儀式上,朝廷亦會使用大象。大象象徵著運氣、智慧和力量,而他們通常被描繪成背著一個花瓶。由於發音相似,「花瓶」和「和平」這兩個詞相互對應,形成了一個與和平與寧靜意義相關的同音詞。
《雙環象耳四季美人瓶》在四個場景中描繪了一位上等女子和她的僕人。每個女人所穿的長袍則反映了她的社會地位。
Online References:
"Elephant Symbol and Meaning": http://chinesehoroscop-e.com/astrology/elephant-in-feng-shui.php
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Artifact Date:
Unknown