Page 560 - Chinese SIlver By Adrien Von Ferscht

A typical and somewhat traditional late 19th century Chinese Export Silver bowl [above]; typical in terms of the
style but it does have exceptional qualities that other makers of similar bowls lack. The fine hammer work of the
planished ground is particularly good and the crispness of the repoussé chrysanthemum bloom and foliate
motif make it stand out from the crowd – the close-up image below gives a particularly clear view of the
planished finish. Interestingly, this is another example of Ning Zhao Ji’s work for the retailer Taylor & Co.

The chrysanthemum is a member of the grouping of plants known as the ‘Four Gentleman’ [sìjūnzì], ‘Four
Princely Plants’ and the ‘Four
P l a n t s o f Vi r t u e ’ . T h e
chrysanthemum in
combination with the prunus,
orchid and bamboo, as is the
case on the combined
decorative motifs of this
bowl, represent the four
seasons of the year.

Chinese culture is almost
obsessed with order and
hierarchy and this results in
an equal fascination
bordering on the obsessive
with numbers, with even
numbers being considered
yīn, the feminine, as written
in the Book of Changes [Yi
Jing]. The four seasons is
one of the most represented
numeric combinations in
C h i n e s e a r t a n d a n y
g r o u p i n g o f f o u r i s
considered to be ideal for a
balanced depiction.