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An oval lidded vessel with a large gold finial. The body of the vessel is decorated with multicolored butterflies on a white ground.
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  • An oval lidded vessel with a large gold finial. The body of the vessel is decorated with multicolored butterflies on a white ground.

Unknown Maker, Chinese

Butterfly Tureen Cover

Maker

Unknown Maker, Chinese

Culture

Chinese

Title

Butterfly Tureen Cover

Year

late 1800s

Medium

  • porcelain,
  • polychrome enamels and gold

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

  • Porcelain,
  • polychrome enamels and gold

Materials

gold, porcelain, enamel

Geography

Place Made: China

Dimensions

Length: 27.3 cm (10 3/4 inches)

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Bequest of Amey Willson Hart

Object Number

58.103.10

Type

  • Ceramics

Exhibition History

Queen of the Insects
The Art of the Butterfly
Dec 11, 2009 â€“ May 09, 2010

Label copy

The smooth and luminous porcelain base combined with enameling and gold surface embellishment decorating this selection from a 125-piece dinner service mimics the glimmer and shine of the butterfly. Available in Europe beginning in the 14th century, Chinese export porcelain became immensely popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. With their advanced understanding of embellishment techniques, Chinese artisans made porcelain goods that proved irresistible to the Western market. It was not until the second half of the 20th century, with the discovery of mica metal oxide pigments, that stable pearl luster tints became available to artisans. In the

meantime Chinese goods, from porcelain to feather cloisonné to silk embroidered robes, reigned supreme in capturing the iridescence of the butterfly wing.

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Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Unknown Maker, Chinese
Butterfly Tureen Cover, late 1800s
Porcelain; polychrome enamels and gold
Length: 27.3 cm (10 3/4 inches)
Bequest of Amey Willson Hart 58.103.10

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Feedback

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