Peony, the traditional famous flower of the mainland, because of its bright color, magnificent, known as the "king of flowers" reputation, has been deeply loved by the Chinese court and literati in the past dynasties, it is not only an important painting subject, but also often used to decorate the utensils.
In the heyday of the development of ceramics in the Qing Dynasty, the porcelain produced by the Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong dynasties was the most representative. There are many types of peony ornamentation, which can be roughly divided into four types: individual peony ornamentation, peony and dragon and phoenix combination ornamentation, peony and spirit bird combination ornamentation, peony and other flower combination ornamentation.
Individual peony ornamentation
During the Kangxi period, a large number of blue and white flowers and colored flowers appeared on the glaze, and the peonies with buds to be released were painted on the utensils, which were full of vitality.
Qing Kangxi blue and white peony pattern holding pot
Kangxi rouge purple ground enamel peony pattern cup
The peony of the Yongzheng period is painted all over the body, and the flowers are clustered. The brushstrokes are delicate and the colors are fresh, just like a Chinese painting on porcelain.
Yongzheng pastel peony pattern plate bottle
Qing Yongzheng pastel peony flower butterfly pattern pen holder
Qianlong Dynasty because of its aesthetic preference for gorgeous and complex, porcelain painted peony often with bright colors, red and purple, complex composition, there are more variants of peony patterns, at the same time because of the continuous innovation of technology, there are hollow peony, carved peony and other ceramic varieties, is the previous dynasty did not have an innovative move.
Qianlong powder 彩开光牡丹纹双耳扁壶
Qing Qianlong pink blue glaze hollow carved peony banana leaf ruyi pattern long neck set bottle
Peony and dragon and phoenix combination ornamentation
The dragon is a legendary supernatural animal, which can prosper clouds and rain and benefit all things, and the emperors of all dynasties have regarded themselves as the true dragon son of heaven. The phoenix is the legendary king of birds, and there is a saying that "when you see it, the world is peaceful". The dragon and phoenix are the highest level of auspiciousness in traditional culture, mainly decorated on court utensils, in order to demonstrate the royal dignity and the supremacy of imperial power. The combination of dragon and phoenix and peony means auspiciousness and wealth, and is deeply loved by the royal family.
Qing Kangxi blue and white peony double dragon picture flower pot
Qing Yongzheng Doucai entwined peony double phoenix pattern plum bottle
Qianlong turquoise green glaze embossed phoenix peony pattern plum bottle
Peony and spirit bird combination ornamentation
Spirit birds often combined with peonies, including peacocks, golden pheasants, chicks, etc. These spirit birds have beautiful feathers, melodious songs, and are endearing. The ancients believed that they were spiritually accessible and auspicious. The combination of peony and spirit bird appears on the porcelain ornamentation, elegant and generous, and it also has the meaning of auspicious prayer, which has a special interest.
Qing Kangxi beautiful jade Yusi colorful pheasant peony picture bowl
Qing Kangxi colorful pheasant peony pattern bottle
Yongzheng enamel pheasant peony pattern bowl
Qing Qianlong pastel peacock peony soup pot
Qing Kangxi colorful lion peony picture jar
Peony combined with other flowers
Flowers combined with peonies include lotus, chrysanthemum, peach blossom, plum blossom, camellia, pomegranate, etc., with different meanings. Its decoration techniques are mainly divided into two types: one is mainly peony, accompanied by other flowers, in order to highlight the "beauty of Kao"; The second is to arrange in an orderly manner regardless of priority and priority, so as to reflect the circulation of the seasons and the alternation of the four seasons. Strange flowers and plants are also auspicious since ancient times, combined with peonies, homophonic meaning, are endowed with all kinds of beautiful meanings, full of fun.
Qing Kangxi blue and white peony magnolia picture flower goose
Qing Kangxi colorful folded branch peony chrysanthemum picture jar
Qing Dynasty porcelain peony ornamentation is very realistic. The peony pattern of this period, whether it is the flowers and leaves or every detail of the branches, completely refers to the peony in reality without any creation that is divorced from reality.
Up to now, peony has been widely used as a decoration in people's daily life, and deeply affects the aesthetic concept of modern people. Every year, the Old Summer Palace will plant a large number of peonies in the three peony viewing areas of Hanjingtang, Kaiyun and Algae Garden, with a wide variety of varieties, including many fine peonies, which are not gorgeous.
Photo by Liu Mengxing
When the peony blooms every year,
Why not come and enjoy the park?
[SOURCE]
"National Colors Alluring - Special Exhibition of Peony-themed Cultural Relics from the Palace Museum"
Zhang Li, Ruan Weiping, Tao Jing
"Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasty Ornamentation Dating Identification Skills: Porcelain Painting Peony Pattern"
The Millennial Evolution of Peony Pattern on Porcelain
The official website of the Palace Museum
[edit]
Li Zhuoyang