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Department:

The Museum Proper

Replica or Original:

Not a Replica

On Display, In Storage, or in a Private Offsite Collection:

On Display

Primary Material:

Porcelain

Medium:

Painted Vase

Dimensions:

5.5" x 6" x 11.5"

Classification/Category:

Furnishings

Specific Classification:

Decorative Vase

Notable Signatures,

Inscriptions, and/or Markings:

Donated by:

Donated by the Fok Ying Tung Foundation

Accession Number

1993.047.001

Artifact Date:

Unknown

Unknown

Artifact Era/Dynasty:

Unknown

Creator:

Chinese

Creator Ancestry:

00:00 / 01:02

Vase with designs to reflect "Beauties of the Four Seasons" is an elaborate decorative vase that features visable brushstrokes and soft painterly features. Medium-sized and constructed from porcelain, this impressive vase is equipped with two appointed bronze elephant handles.


Elephants are represented often in Chinese mythology, imagery and folklore. In the Han Dynasty,  elephants were domesticated by royalty and utilized by the military. During rituals and ceremonies, elephants were used by the imperial court. When depicted, elephants symbolize luck, wisdom and strength. They are commonly portrayed carrying a vase on their back. Due to similar pronounciation, the words "vase" and "peace" correspond with one another, creating a homophone in relation to meanings of peace and serenity.


Vase with designs to reflect "Beauties of the Four Seasons" depicts someone of a higher class and her servant, in four settings. The robes each woman wears reflects her social status. 

Artifact Date:

Unknown

Artifact Era/Dynasty:

Unknown

Creator:

Unknown

Creator Ancestory:

Chinese

Catalogue Entry

Online References:

Department:

The Museum Proper

On Display, In Storage, or in a Private Offsite Collection:

On Display

Replica or Original:

Not a Replica

Vase depicting the "Beauties of the Four Seasons".
一個描繪四季美人的花瓶。

Listen

00:00 / 01:04

Classification/Category:

Furnishings

Specific Classification:

Decorative Vase

Notable Signatures,

Inscriptions, and/or Markings:

Primary Material:

Porcelain

Medium:

Painted Vase

Dimensions:

5.5" x 6" x 11.5"

Donated by:

Donated by the Fok Ying Tung Foundation

Accession Number:

1993.047.001

Vase with designs to reflect "Beauties of the Four Seasons" 雙環象耳四季美人瓶

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