Plate c. 1885

This plate, of unknown date and maker, uses gold and silver against a deep blue ground to depict a scene of birds and lotus plants. The composition divides into two registers, the upper section dominated by a pair of birds in flight, possibly mandarin ducks. The lower register offers a cluster of lotus plants in full bloom. The artist's choice to render the figures in shimmering metallic tones against a dark backdrop creates a striking contrast. The lotus and ducks may be interpreted as symbols for love and marriage. However, the strict symmetry and flattened perspective remove this plate from simple representation. Instead, the artist prioritized surface decoration and emblematic design, disrupting any conventional reading of depth and realism. The result is a work that engages with our understanding of symbolism, prompting questions about cultural codes and aesthetic conventions.