Page 33 - A Re-examination of Late Qing Dynasty Porcelain, 1850-1920 THESIS

porcelains are typically not considered “imperial” quality. This study investigates the

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quality, style, and motifs found on accepted Hongxian porcelain. By comparing

Hongxian porcelain to the porcelain produced under Cixi, this study establishes that

imperial-caliber wares were created and that a visual lineage exists between these two

patrons. Other scholarship in this area focuses primarily on each dynasty’s porcelain as

its own entity. This approach establishes an evolutionary link between motifs connecting

the patronage found at the end of imperial China to the patronage of the early Republic.

The objects investigated in this analysis primarily derive from collections in Britain. The

long-established history between China and Britain provides a strong provenance for

dayazhai and Hongxian porcelain. By clarifying the designs found during this era of

dynastic transition, this research contributes to the establishment of late Qing and early

Republic porcelain styles in modern scholarship.

State of the Field

The questions posed in this research delve into an intersection between history

and art history. While scholars have provided research covering aspects of this topic, the

research rarely investigates both a political figure and his or her patronage of art.

Therefore, this study incorporates both historical texts and art historical records to

establish new perspectives. To begin, historical records concerning the empress dowager

are predominately secondary sources. While she did issue several edicts during her reign,

scholars assume that the majority of these were not from her own hand. Letters and texts

4 Hongxian porcelain is difficult to date as many reproductions were produced. It is necessary to
ensure the porcelain analyzed within the study maintain strong provenance allowing them to
represent the porcelain of the period.

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