Page 214 - A Re-examination of Late Qing Dynasty Porcelain, 1850-1920 THESIS

a comparison to the multiple patterns designed in Cixi’s dayazhai. On this plate, the bird

has a white head and brown-toned wings accenting vivid blue feathers. The blue feathers

identify the bird as a kingfisher (fei cui niao 翡翠鳥). Traditionally, the feathers can be

used for jewelry or clothing making the kingfisher an emblem of beauty. The flowering

plum branch the kingfisher sits upon stretches horizontally across the dish, dividing the

space in half. Plum blossoms hold a variety of meanings within artwork. A plum

blossom is highly auspicious due to the meaning associated with its distinct five-petals.

Each petal represents one of the five blessings: longevity, wealth, health, love and virtue,

and peaceful death. 278 The plum blossom was included on Cixi’s dayazhai wares as part

of the winter motif, in this instance representing one of the three friends of winter. The

final floral image on the dish are two vibrant pink peonies representing the king of

flowers. Again, the inclusion of peonies is a direct connection to the dayazhai patterns

linking the styles on the plate directly to the influence of Cixi’s imperial patronage. This

connection to the empress dowager shows an extension of Cixi’s personal porcelain style

beyond her personal commissions, emphasizing how her aesthetic affected the styles of

the later Qing period.

The final plate from the Victoria and Albert Museum once again makes use of a

slightly different motif. This plate dates back to the same era and includes a floral design

accompanied by a small butterfly (Figure 82). Again, the reliance on vivid colors in the

famille rose style is reminiscent of an earlier era, thus connecting to the success of earlier

Qing rulers. The flying butterfly is considered a representation of blessings, happiness,

and longevity. Although this plate composes the butterfly as a major element within the

278 Bartholomew, Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art, 35.

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