Saucer

Art Historical Context

This exquisite porcelain saucer from China's Qing dynasty (1644–1911) exemplifies the era's mastery of ceramics, blending functionality with lavish decoration. Standing just 4¼ inches (10.8 cm) high, it features overglaze polychrome enamels and gilt, techniques that allowed artisans to apply vibrant colors and gold accents after the initial firing. This method created durable, luminous designs that captured light beautifully, making such pieces prized for both daily use and display. The saucer's motifs—lively roosters amid blooming flowers—carry deep cultural resonance. Roosters symbolize vig...