late 17th-early 18th century
China
Object qualities
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Objecttableware: Plate
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Type of arts & crafts
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MediumPorcelain painted with blue underglaze
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SizeH. 1 1/8 in. (2.9 cm); Diam. of rim 5 7/8 in. (14.9 cm); Diam. of foot 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm)
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Geography details
China -
Country today
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Datelate 17th-early 18th century
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CultureChina
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PeriodQing dynasty (1644-1911)
Source of information
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Type of sourceDatabase “Metropolitan Museum of Art”
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Fund that the source refers toMetropolitan Museum of Art
Description
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Visual puns, often made by using homophones, are a popular design language in Chinese art. In addition to being a zodiac animal, the monkey also symbolizes a noble title, because it is pronounced the same as the word for marquis (hou) in Chinese. Here, monkey, bees, magpie, and deer are combined to convey “giving great wealth and bestowing a noble title” (jue lu feng hou). This handsomely painted blue-and-white dish therefore expresses two wishes for good fortune.