Existing comment:
Beauty Standing Near a Pot of Orchids:
China, Qing dynasty, 1720s-1730s (reproduction)
The woman in the window is said to be Lady Liu, concubine to the Yongzheng emperor (reigned 1722-35). She holds a pale green orchid (and wears one in her hair, right). In the foreground, the dish on a garden table of eroded stone holds two orchid plants, whose blossoms are barely visible among the narrow leaves. Set in this context, orchids stand for feminine charm and beauty, and for deep emotional connection between two people. |