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Source Description

Pheasants were appreciated in China for their striking tail feathers, making them symbols of beauty. These feathers were collected and adorned military helmets as an indication of rank. The paired pheasants painted in underglaze blue, red, and brown on this white porcelain bowl also act as a symbol of fidelity. Prunus branches on either side of the pheasants perched on craggy rocks are painted with similar pigments. Touches of overglaze green enamel are applied to the scene and the pheasants. Sprigs of peony sprouting from the rockery compliment the pheasants as symbols of beauty, affection, love, and honor. The round bowl stands on a short foot rim and has an open rimmed mouth. Two double ring borders in blue underglaze are painted above and below the natural scene depicted on the body.

Scholar Source Context

Document identity
localId
38262
label
Bowl with Pheasants
core
obj
dtoType
object
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
38262
contentType
object
stage
normalized
title
Bowl with Pheasants
description
Pheasants were appreciated in China for their striking tail feathers, making them symbols of beauty. These feathers were collected and adorned military helmets as an indication of rank. The paired pheasants painted in underglaze blue, red, and brown on this white porcelain bowl also act as a symbol of fidelity. Prunus branches on either side of the pheasants perched on craggy rocks are painted with similar pigments. Touches of overglaze green enamel are applied to the scene and the pheasants. Sprigs of peony sprouting from the rockery compliment the pheasants as symbols of beauty, affection, love, and honor. The round bowl stands on a short foot rim and has an open rimmed mouth. Two double ring borders in blue underglaze are painted above and below the natural scene depicted on the body.
provenance
William T. or Henry Walters Collection, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; by bequest to Walters Art Museum, 1931.
date
1675-1720
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
genreSpecific
bowls (vessels)
imageCount
1
pageCount
1
source
import
dimensionsRaw
W: 7 15/16 in. (20.1 cm)
Source extras
cul
Chinese
inscriptions
[Reign Mark] In underglaze blue: da qing kang xi nian zhi
dynasty
Qing Dynasty
reign
Kangxi (1662-1722)
med
porcelain with underglaze blue, brown, and red and overglaze enamel green
creator_ids
6238
collection_ids
CHN
exhibition_ids
3172
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
photo
mediaId
544d13b14420f9ae