Enameled Hat Stand with Two Women

Brilliantly colored with bold enamels, this porcelain hat stand was once used by a Qing-dynasty gentleman to display his caps while they weren't in use. This stand is decorated in the style of famille rose, a technique that emerged during the 18th century that employs opaque overglaze enamels in pinks, reds, blues, and greens.

The cylindrical stand is hand-painted with a scene of courtly women dressed in colorful flowing robes, relaxing in a luxurious interior setting. One woman is cradling her pet rabbit in her arms while the other seems to be sharing secrets to her friend. The hat stand is finished with a brushwork of Chinese calligraphy and a stamped maker’s mark on the underside.