Artwork
Jeweller pasting kingfisher feathers on a silver-gilt frame
Jeweller pasting kingfisher feathers on a silver-gilt frame is a paint painting by the Impressionist artist Peichun Zhou. It dates from 1885 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This painting depicts a jeweller at work, carefully attaching kingfisher feathers to a silver-gilt frame.
About this work
Overview
This painting depicts a jeweller at work, carefully attaching kingfisher feathers to a silver-gilt frame. It is one of over 200 works in an album documenting various occupations and cultural practices.
Subject & Meaning
The scene shows a person seated at a table, engaged in a precise craft. The accompanying text, written in ink, provides instructions for handling kingfisher feathers, suggesting the artwork's focus is on the detail and technique of jewellery-making.
Technique & Style
The artist's attention to everyday detail is evident in the depiction of small tools and feathers. The use of a plain background emphasizes the jeweller's precise movements, showcasing the artist's skill in capturing intricate actions.
History & Provenance
The painting was acquired from Maggs Bros. and accessioned into the collection in 1900. It is part of a larger album of numbered paintings.
Artist & collection
Artist
Peichun Zhou's tiny paintings feel like overheard gossip. Every inch of the page teems with someone’s daily hustle—silver hairpins, paper flowers, or a jeweler gluing kingfisher feathers onto a trinket. You can almost…
