Pomegranate in a bronze vase - Ding Liangxian

A traditional Chinese woodblock print featuring a still life of a pomegranate branch, bronze vessels, and scholarly objects.

This woodblock print by Ding Liangxian presents a traditional Chinese still life arrangement, often referred to as a 'bogu' or 'antiques' composition. The work features a collection of scholarly objects and botanical elements, carefully balanced to suggest refinement and cultural appreciation. At the centre, a tall bronze vase holds a flowering pomegranate branch, a symbol of fertility and abundance in Chinese iconography. Beside it sits a rectangular incense burner, topped with a mythical creature, and a smaller, rounded vessel decorated with dragon motifs.

The composition includes a Buddha's hand citron, a fruit prized for its fragrance and shape, resting on a leaf in the foreground. A small, square seal box and a hanging tassel add to the sense of a curated study space. The lines are precise and clean, characteristic of the woodblock printing techniques used for high-quality book illustrations and decorative prints during the Qing period. The colouring is applied with restraint, using soft tones that complement the paper texture.

Ding Liangxian employs a flat perspective, typical of this genre, which allows the viewer to observe each object with clarity. The inclusion of Chinese calligraphy in the upper right corner provides context, likely referencing the aesthetic qualities of the objects depicted. This print functions as a visual catalogue of refined taste, capturing the material culture of the era. The arrangement is not merely decorative; it reflects the scholarly tradition of appreciating antique bronzes and natural forms as sources of inspiration. The print remains a clear example of the technical skill involved in multi-block printing, where each colour area is registered with accuracy to create a harmonious final image.