Collection of the University of Pittsburgh Art Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA. Anonymous Gift
1988.2.18
Imperial Box
1644 – 1911 (Date created)
Porcelain
Fired
Boxes
0 in L
x
0 in W
x
9.5 in H
x
0 in D
Chinese
This is a rare box made for the Empress T'su Hsi. She was the first reigning Empress of China. Her reign ended in 1911, with the establishment of the Republic of China. The imperial kilns produced pure white porcelain wares which were painted with elaborate symbolic ornamentation in combinations of several colored enamels over the glaze. The items ranged from huge ceremonial temple vases to smaller bowls, dishes, and lidded boxes. This piece depicts birds among flowers. The bird is regarded as a popular emblem of beauty and it was believed that every woman is represented int he other world by a flower or tree. Flowers and birds are often found together in Chinese symbolism.
Box
Imperial Box
This is a rare box made for the Empress T'su Hsi. She was the first reigning Empress of China. Her reign ended in 1911, with the establishment of the Republic of China. The imperial kilns produced pure white porcelain wares which were painted with elaborate symbolic ornamentation in combinations of several colored enamels over the glaze. The items ranged from huge ceremonial temple vases to smaller bowls, dishes, and lidded boxes. This piece depicts birds among flowers. The bird is regarded as a popular emblem of beauty and it was believed that every woman is represented int he other world by a flower or tree. Flowers and birds are often found together in Chinese symbolism.
Imperial Box
This is a rare box made for the Empress T'su Hsi. She was the first reigning Empress of China. Her reign ended in 1911, with the establishment of the Republic of China. The imperial kilns produced pure white porcelain wares which were painted with elaborate symbolic ornamentation in combinations of several colored enamels over the glaze. The items ranged from huge ceremonial temple vases to smaller bowls, dishes, and lidded boxes. This piece depicts birds among flowers. The bird is regarded as a popular emblem of beauty and it was believed that every woman is represented int he other world by a flower or tree. Flowers and birds are often found together in Chinese symbolism.
In Collection
Anonymous Gift (see Notes)
Please note that cataloging is ongoing and that some information may not be complete.