Fan-shaped dish 1720 - 1735

Curator: My eyes are drawn to the details of these delicate porcelain sculptures, titled "Fan-shaped dish," created around 1720 to 1735. You can find them at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The pieces display an elaborate mix of traditional Asian art aesthetics and decorative techniques. Editor: There's such a fascinating duality in these pieces; at once, the delicate floral designs create a calming visual, and yet, the fan shape is itself historically loaded with political power, particularly concerning gender roles. It almost feels contradictory. Curator: That duality is a key element in much of Asian art of the period. A fan itself symbolizes rank and privilege, as well as wisdom, but is also an accoutrement of women. Editor: It's that simultaneous inscription of status and gender that makes these so compelling. As decorative objects, were these fans intended for practical use, or more for display? Were they primarily objects to reflect their owners' refinement and wealth, while reinforcing a certain set of social roles? Curator: They would likely be status symbols, often used by court officials. It embodies the Confucian principles prevalent at the time. We see symbolism, particularly in the flora selected for the painted scenes. Editor: The natural world acting as a cipher for social hierarchy – right? Curator: Precisely. Look closer and the peonies could suggest prosperity, while the plum blossoms could denote perseverance. The artists embed an entire language of symbolism meant to impress and educate. It shows their knowledge but also their power as conduits of meaning. Editor: So these aren’t *just* beautiful ceramics; they embody coded visual systems of class, power and even gender performance, brought to bear through flowers. Curator: Very true! Considering the political and economic landscape of that period, these seemingly simple pieces tell a much more complex story. Editor: I'm seeing these now in such a different light! A quiet revolution perhaps, where decorative arts become a medium for asserting identities in really nuanced and intricate ways.