Red bowl with phoenix and peonies, Qianlong period (1736–1795)
Ruby glass, blown, cut
(H x Ø)7 × 15,2 cm
About the workSymbols of luck and long life are depicted on this bowl: peonies are one of the oldest flowers cultivated in China, while the “Fenghuang” or Chinese phoenix was considered the king of the birds as well as the female counterpart to the male dragon. The grinding technique used on this bowl was traditionally used in China for carving jade. Invented in Europe, “gold ruby” or “cranberry” glass was introduced to Beijing by Jesuit missionaries prior to 1700.
AccessionAcquisition 1971
Inventory numberP 1971-26
