- Provenance
- Provenance research underway.
- Label
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Manchurian cranes, with their elegant and dignified carriage, were treasured and raised as pets in China and often associated with mythical beings; eventually they became known as "immortal birds." Images of cranes and pines are immediately recognizable symbols of longevity, and, when presented together, convey wishes for a happy marriage. As a group, the pine, plum blossoms, and bamboo form the "Three Friends of Winter," a collective symbol of the lofty scholar's moral character. This finely detailed ornamental painting typifies the professional Ming paintings that decorated reception halls in the houses of the elite.
- Published References
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- Louise Allison Cort, Jan Stuart, Laurence Chi-Sing Tam. Joined Colors: Decoration and Meaning in Chinese Porcelain : Ceramics from Collectors in the Min Chiu Society, Hong Kong. Exh. cat. Washington and Hong Kong, 1993. p. 52, fig. 6.
- Collection Area(s)
- Chinese Art
- Web Resources
- Google Cultural Institute
- SI Usage Statement
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Usage Conditions Apply
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CC0 - Creative Commons (CC0 1.0)
This image is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.
Usage Conditions Apply
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.
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International Image Interoperability Framework
FS-8042_22