Page 224 - A Re-examination of Late Qing Dynasty Porcelain, 1850-1920 THESIS

once again connected to Cixi’s passion for traditional painting. The visual repetition of

bird and flower designs was substantiated by the collections examined during the course

of research, which statistically saw bird and flower themes as the most popular motif on

late Qing porcelain. The use of vivid enamels established Cixi’s strong desire to portray

a modern and Westernized China.

It is clear from the holdings at British institutions that the styles Cixi created

became popular porcelain styles in both China and the West. It was this major influence

that likely caused Yuan Shikai to look to Cixi as a source of inspiration. While Yuan’s

reign was short in duration, he attempted to cultivate the same level of popularity and

power that Cixi had attained through porcelain patronage. The wares once again relied

heavily on the famille rose color palette, emphasizing Western influence. The imagery

found on the wares produced during the Hongxian period and into the early republic

continue the style of intricate brushwork exhibited on Cixi’s porcelain. The collections

examined also established bird and flower themes as the most utilized style in Hongxian

era porcelain. While stylistically, the wares of the late Qing and early Republic have

similar attributes they also differed suggesting an evolution of designs over time. In

comparison to late Qing porcelain, Hongxian vessels had a wider variety of subject

matter within the examined collections. Wares of the early republic, specifically those

with a Hongxian mark, appear to be meticulously painted, often in soft, subtle, traditional

colors. In this regard, the wares dating to 1915 and 1916 may appear more traditional

than the vivid porcelain Cixi produced. It is clear that with the loss of an imperial patron

the styles of the republic became quite diverse, because the kilns themselves had limited

restrictions. The basis for these republic styles was the porcelain of the last great Qing

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