Parrot (one of a pair)
Unknown Artist
18th century
Medium
Porcelain with polychrome enamels and gilt bronze pedestal
Dimensions
H. 11 in. (27.9 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Culture & Period
China · Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931
Accession Number
32.100.430
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite porcelain parrot, one of a pair crafted in 18th-century China during Qing dynasty (16441911), stands as a testament to the era's mastery of ceramic artistry. Perched on a gleaming gilt bronze pedestal, the 11-inch (27.9 cm) figure captures the's vibrant feathers and alert posture with remarkable realism, showcasing the technical prowess of imperial kilns, likely in Jingdezhen the porcelain capital. The medium—fine porcelain adorned with polychrome enamelshighlights a signature Qing innovation: overglaze enameling, which allowed for vivid, multilayered colors like soft pinks, gr...