Plate with lotus pond and Daoist immortals
Unknown Artist
Medium
Porcelain painted in underglaze blue and overglaze famille verte enamels
Dimensions
Diam. 11 1/8 in. (28.3 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Culture & Period
China · Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase by subscription, 1879
Accession Number
79.2.1288
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite Qing dynasty (1644–1911) porcelain plate, measuring 11 1/8 inches in diameter,ivates with its vibrant depiction of a serene lotus pond inhabited by Daoist immortals and graceful birds. The central scene evokes a mythical paradise, where immortals—revered figures in Chinese folklore symbolizing longevity and spiritual enlightenment—float amid blooming lotuses, emblems of purity and enlightenment rising from the mud. Crafted in fine porcelain, the plate showcases masterful techniques: underglaze blue for the foundational motifs, fired at high temperatures for durability and depth...