Duck-themed artifacts from the Palace Museum
There's a Chinese poem that has the saying, "When spring has warmed the stream, ducks are the first to know." This verse signifies that when spring arrives and the ice melts, ducks are the first to sense the change in the season, giving them the chance to revel in the warmth and play in the water. The poet's words reflect a speculative understanding of the ducks' perception. In essence, the poet personifies the ducks, endowing them with the capability to perceive warmth and cold akin to humans, fostering empathy for their experiences.
As spring approaches, ducks begin to gather and swim on the lake. A leisurely stroll by the lakeside during this time offers a captivating and harmonious spectacle that deeply captivates the observer. Furthermore, the Palace Museum in Beijing houses a collection of "duck" artifacts, eagerly awaiting appreciation. Below are some duck-themed artifacts from the museum's collection. Let's take a look.
A famille rose carved porcelain duck from the Qianlong period of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) [Photo/Official Weibo account of the Palace Museum]
A yellow-glazed duck-shaped writing brush washer from the Qing Dynasty [Photo/Official Weibo account of the Palace Museum]
A white jade duck from the Qing Dynasty [Photo/Official Weibo account of the Palace Museum]
A Qing Dynasty painting scroll depicts a duck swimming in spring. [Photo/Official Weibo account of the Palace Museum]
A celadon jade-made duck holding grain stalks in its mouth from the Qing Dynasty [Photo/Official Weibo account of the Palace Museum]
A ceramic yellow-glazed duck from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) [Photo/Official Weibo account of the Palace Museum]
A brown-glazed duck carrying a lotus on its back from the Guang Kiln [Photo/Official Weibo account of the Palace Museum]
A copper duck-shaped incense burner from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) [Photo/Official Weibo account of the Palace Museum]
An ocher-colored duck from Shiwan Kiln from the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty [Photo/Official Weibo account of the Palace Museum]