This antique gold basin, dating from the Ching (1644-1911) Dynasty, is unusual even for a display as varied as that in the National Palace Museum. This is because gold has always taken second place to jade, pearl and porcelain in the Chinese concept of beauty in making art objects.
Made of 60 percent gold alloy and weighing about eight pounds, this round basin, 5 inches high, 4 1/4-inches deep and 24 inches across, was used to bathe the infant heir-apparent to the Ching throne, Hsuen Feng. In the center of the basin is an inscription which reads, "Long Life", and on either side are etched a dragon and phoenix, symbols of good fortune, as well as other imprints connoting longevity. A "Double Happiness" character is carved on the bottom.
After the birth of his son, Hsuen Feng, Emperor Tao Kuang ordered the gold basin to be used for all royal births. Upon his accession to the throne, however, Emperor Hsuan Feng, reminded of the labor of his beloved mother in bearing him, greatly limited the basin's ceremonial appearances, in a logical and filial Confucian gesture.