Page 220 - A Re-examination of Late Qing Dynasty Porcelain, 1850-1920 THESIS

procured strongly indicates that it was inspired by and thus connected to the empress

dowager. Within the Copeland collection, a visual connection is apparent between

vessels acquired from the republic and vessels of imperial provenance. One of the

republic-era plates from the Copeland collection appears to be reminiscent of the plates

from the Victoria and Albert collection described earlier (Section 3.9, Figures 79-81).

This Saucer dish is painted in overglaze enamels and depicts a grouping of flowers

(Figure 86). 282 The flowers intersect on the plate in the famille rose palette reminiscent

of the plates from the late Qing era. The soft, graceful brushstrokes and light gradient

colors also create a visual similarity to the previously analyzed wares. Along with the

visual similarities, this plate also has an inscription on the surface. Inscriptions were a

crucial aspect of Cixi’s porcelain that allowed her to claim ownership of the vessel and

achieve power during her reign. In this instance, the inclusion of an inscription has

allowed the specific artist, Chen Qixian (dates unknown), to assert authorship over the

ware. The Copeland plate dates to 1926, which is later than the wares produced during

the reigns of Cixi and Yuan Shikai. Despite being produced during the republic, the plate

maintains the aesthetic influence of the late Qing era, appearing closely related to the

patronage of Cixi or Yuan Shikai. The porcelain created during the republic looked to

the success of the empress dowager, indicating that the style achieved during late

dynastic China directly influenced the aesthetics produced during the early republic.

282 Blakey, 40.

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