Dish of the Qing dynasty. China, last third of the 19th century.

Dish of the Qing dynasty. China, last third of the 19th century.
Bronze and cloisonné enamel.
It shows signs of use, wear and some lack of enamel on the bottom of the back.
Measurements: 61 cm (diameter).

Presentation plate made of bronze enameled by the cloisonné technique. Also called alveolate or partitioned, the enamel "cloisonné" is a technique that consists of depositing the vitreous paste of the enamel in recessed compartments or formed by metal sheets that, in relief, compose the silhouette of the design.

Under the Qing, inherited art forms flourished and innovations occurred at many levels and in many types. High levels of literacy, a successful publishing industry, thriving cities and a Confucian emphasis on cultivation nurtured a lively and creative set of cultural fields. By the late 19th century, the national artistic and cultural worlds had begun to reconcile with the cosmopolitan culture of the West and Japan. The decision to remain within the old forms or to welcome Western models was now a conscious choice rather than an unquestioning acceptance of tradition. Classically trained Confucian scholars. The Qing emperors were generally skilled in poetry and often skilled in painting, and they offered their patronage to Confucian culture.