Large dish 1800 - 1900

This large dish was made by an anonymous Chinese artist, and it’s now here at the Metropolitan Museum. Dishes like these weren’t merely functional; they were emblems of status and cultural identity. The deep red glaze, often called "oxblood," was technically challenging to achieve, requiring precise firing conditions. This piece would likely have been commissioned by or for someone of high social standing, reflecting their taste and wealth. Consider how this object, now displayed in a museum, once held a place of honor in a private collection, perhaps used in rituals or for serving special guests. The dish represents an intersection of artistic skill, cultural values, and personal identity. While it maintains traditional forms, it invites us to reconsider the narratives embedded in such objects. It's a quiet reminder of how everyday items can carry profound cultural weight, reflecting the social and emotional lives of those who created and used them.