A Chinese porcelain “Millefleurs” vase, Marked Guangxu

During the late Qing Dynasty in China, particularly during the Guangxu reign (1875-1908), there was a resurgence of interest in traditional arts and crafts. This period saw a revival of various decorative techniques, including the popular “Millefleurs” style in porcelain production.

The term “Millefleurs” translates to “thousand flowers” in French, and it refers to a decorative style characterized by densely packed floral motifs covering the surface of an object. This style originated in medieval European tapestries but found its way into Chinese porcelain during the Qing Dynasty.