Plate 69: Water Minor, from "A New Book of Chinese Designs"
Etched and published by Matthias Darly British
Artist and publisher George Edwards British
Not on view
Plate 69 of 'A New Book of Chinese Designs', consisting of a title page, index, and 120 plates, etched and published in 1754 by the British caricaturist, printseller and ornamental engraver Matthew Darly, in collaboration with George Edwards. The book consists of a variety of ornamental and costume designs of Chinese inspiration, some of them copies of the original works (including the title).
This plate represents a water plant, which surfaces from the water, with thin, scrolling leaves, branches with stylized flowers, and larger, stylized leaves. A bird is perched on the thickest branch of the plant, and another bird flies towards it, facing it. Small flower buds float on the water, in front of the plant, flanked by thin, scrolling leaves. On the left is a trunk with a bundle of branches with small, stylized flowers, flower buds, and some leaves.
