Magnolia and Bird Underglaze Gold Leaf Ornamental Plate
This Yoshida Minori Gold Leaf Ornamental Plate, adorned with underglaze gold leaf, showcases a magnolia motif. The base color features a pale yellow-green shade, reminiscent of the Ming Dynasty (1368 CE – 1644 CE), with a gold decoration. With grand flowers and delicate buds, alongside a finely detailed small bird at the top, the plate is symmetrically embellished, its feathers intricately layered with gold leaf.
The upper portion of the plate captures a scene of new life and growth, featuring delicate buds that seem on the verge of blossoming. Adding to the whimsical nature of the design is a small bird, intricately smaller than the flowers, positioned at the top. This bird is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, with its feathers created by layering gold foil and then finely etching details with a needle or blade, especially around the chest area, depicting the finesse of movement.
