Page 98 - A Re-examination of Late Qing Dynasty Porcelain, 1850-1920 THESIS

to invasion in the future. 103 Records indicate that of the total spent on the party, over

121,000 taels of silver were spent solely on porcelain. 104 While some of the porcelain

commissioned for Cixi’s birthday resembled the previously analyzed dayazhai patterns,

other pieces were unique compositions for the celebration. A Large bowl inscribed with

wanshou wujiang 萬壽無疆(may you have boundless longevity) was created for Cixi’s

th
60 birthday (Figure 26). The porcelain bowl has a yellow ground with four medallions
outlined in a lingzhi motif. The interior of each medallion presents the characters for

long life. Numerous auspicious emblems fill the exterior and interior of the bowl

conveying additional birthday wishes. Imagery of peaches growing on branches

represents the peaches of immortality and flying bats symbolize blessings. The inclusion

of flowers, butterflies, and streamers fill the surface of the vessel establishing a ornate

motif. Unlike her dayazhai style wares, the birthday porcelain appears far more

traditional especially the reliance on characters to distinctly convey meaning. However,

it is clear that the motifs Cixi commissioned were styles that were of particular interest to

her with the repeated use of peaches, flowers, and butterflies found on both the birthday

porcelain and within dayazhai styles. Through the consistent use of these motifs, Cixi

managed to dominate production, influencing it to adhere to her standards of porcelain

beauty alone generating a distinct aesthetic.

After evaluating three distinct commissions made by Cixi, several elements of late

Qing porcelain can be established. From the surviving examples, the forms that appear to

103 Along with appropriation from the Chinese navy Cixi would also take money from funds to
build roads. Historically, the lack of funding to the navy would result in China being unable to
defend themselves against Japan in 1894.
104 Rosemary E Scott, For the Imperial Court: Qing Porcelain from the Percival David
Foundation of Chinese Art (London: Sun Tree Publishing, 1997), 24.

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