Dish
Unknown Artist
Medium
Painted enamel
Dimensions
Diam. 6 3/8 in. (16.2 cm)
Classification
Enamels
Culture & Period
China · Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong period (1736–95)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Mary Clark Thompson, 1923
Accession Number
24.80.395
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite small dish, crafted during China’s Qing dynasty in the Qianlong period (1736–95), exemplifies the refined artistry of imperial enamelwork. Produced in an era when the court lavishly supported decorative arts, the piece reflects the Qianlong emperor’s passion for technical innovation and aesthetic elegance. Its compact size—roughly six inches across—suggests it may have served as a refined tableware item or a treasured collector’s object, blending functionality with ornamental beauty. The medium of painted enamel allowed artisans to achieve luminous colors and delicate details u...