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Plate with Yu Boya and Zhong Ziqi enjoying zither music

Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Shunzhi period (1644–61)
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 221
On loan to The Met
This work of art is currently on loan to the museum.
This plate exemplifies a transitional stage in polychromatic Chinese porcelain. Blue is still painted with underglaze cobalt, while all the other colors are achieved with overglaze enamel. The plate illustrates a story about a deep bond between music connoisseurs from ancient China. Yu Boya—a legendary qin zither musician active in the sixth century BCE—is moved by insightful comments on his playing by the humble woodcutter Zhong Ziqi, who likened the music to a lofty mountain and a running river.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 清順治 景德鎮窯青花五彩知音圖盤
  • Title: Plate with Yu Boya and Zhong Ziqi enjoying zither music
  • Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Shunzhi period (1644–61)
  • Culture: China
  • Medium: Porcelain painted with cobalt blue under and colored enamels over a transparent glaze (Jingdezhen ware)
  • Dimensions: H. 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm); Diam. 14 in. (35.6 cm)
  • Classification: Ceramics
  • Credit Line: Promised Gift of Julia and John Curtis, in celebration of the Museum’s 150th Anniversary
  • Object Number: L.2017.53.4
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art