Dish

19th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 221

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 Although originally made for a Chinese private commission, such dishes would have appealed to Western traders interested in natural history, who acquired plants from local markets and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.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

清中期銅胎畫琺瑯“慶祐堂製”花卉紋盤
Title: Dish
Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Date: 19th century
Culture: China
Medium: Painted enamel
Dimensions: Diam. 14 in. (35.6 cm)
Classification: Enamels
Credit Line: Bequest of Mary Clark Thompson, 1923
Object Number: 24.80.328
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

In the same gallery

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Foliated dish with flowers and fruits, Wan Yannian Chinese, Painted enamel on copper alloy, China — Foliated dish with flowers and fruits
Wan Yannian
19th century

Lobed dish with flowers, fruits, and insects, Painted enamel on copper alloy, China — Lobed dish with flowers, fruits, and insects
China
ca. 1860

Plaque with the five poisonous creatures, Painted enamel, China — Plaque with the five poisonous creatures
China
19th century

Dish in the shape of a chrysanthemum flower (one of two), Jade (nephrite), China — Dish in the shape of a chrysanthemum flower (one of two)
China
19th century

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.