Date:ca. 1710–30 Culture:Chinese, for European market Medium:Hard-paste porcelain painted with colored enamels over transparent glaze (Jingdezhen ware) Dimensions:Height (teabowl .117): 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm); Diameter (saucer .118): 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm) Classification:Ceramics-Porcelain-Export Credit Line:The Hans Syz Collection, Gift of Stephan B. Syz and John D. Syz, 1995 Accession Number:1995.268.117, .118 The age-old Chinese pictorial subject of paired quails and rice stalks (substituted here by peonies) first appears on paintings dating back to the twelfth century, and perhaps earlier. The images functioned symbolically to form a rebus that suggested peace and harmony.
Date:ca. 1710–30 Culture:Chinese, for European market Medium:Hard-paste porcelain painted with colored enamels over transparent glaze (Jingdezhen ware) Dimensions:Height (teabowl .117): 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm); Diameter (saucer .118): 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm) Classification:Ceramics-Porcelain-Export Credit Line:The Hans Syz Collection, Gift of Stephan B. Syz and John D. Syz, 1995 Accession Number:1995.268.117, .118 The age-old Chinese pictorial subject of paired quails and rice stalks (substituted here by peonies) first appears on paintings dating back to the twelfth century, and perhaps earlier. The images functioned symbolically to form a rebus that suggested peace and harmony.