It is widely thought that the two-horned peony is a characteristic and unique feature only existed in Kangxi period. But Dr Yibin Ni has presented here with a number of examples of such peony patterns from other reigns on Chinese antiques.
image above: doucai porcelain moonflask, Yongzheng period (1723–35), Qing dynasty, courtesy of Shanghai Museum, China
Common sources such as Baidu (百度百科) refer to the motif of a peony flower head with two distinctive ‘horns’ (双犄牡丹) as a characteristic feature unique to Chinese porcelain of the Kangxi period (1662–1722). As a matter of fact, the tradition can be traced back as early as a fan painting by the legendary Ming romantic artist Tang Yin (唐寅, 1470–1524).
![扇面双犄牡丹](https://adminrm18.tutuhaoyi.com/tutuheadless/public/uploads/2020/12/peony-two-horned-唐寅-Tutuhaoyi.jpg)
Subsequently, the attractive ‘two-horned’ peony was appropriated on a rolwagen dated 1634.
![](https://adminrm18.tutuhaoyi.com/tutuheadless/public/uploads/2020/12/peony-two-horned-kangxi.jpg)
We find another specimen of the motif created in the Ming dynasty, dated 1643, thanks to the salvage operation of the Hatcher Cargo.
![two horned peony](https://adminrm18.tutuhaoyi.com/tutuheadless/public/uploads/2020/12/peony-two-horned-Tutuhaoyi.jpg)
Then, in addition to the known examples of the Shunzhi (顺治, 1644–61) and Kangxi (康熙, 1662–1722) reigns, the Yongzheng (雍正, 1723–35) period still saw the ‘two-horned’ peony blossoming, as is vindicated by a famille rose bowl painted in the ‘boneless’ style (see below).
![blue and white Shunzhi porcelain bowl with two horned peony](https://adminrm18.tutuhaoyi.com/tutuheadless/public/uploads/2020/12/peony-kangxi-康熙-牡丹-Tutuhaoyi.jpg)
![](https://adminrm18.tutuhaoyi.com/tutuheadless/public/uploads/2020/12/peony-kangxi-Tutuhaoyi-Yibin-Ni.jpg)
![two horned peony Kangxi porcelain Tutuhaoyi](https://adminrm18.tutuhaoyi.com/tutuheadless/public/uploads/2020/08/two-horned-peony-Kangxi-porcelain-Tutuhaoyi.jpg)
![Guimet vase two horned peony flower motif](https://adminrm18.tutuhaoyi.com/tutuheadless/public/uploads/2020/08/Guimet-vase-two-horned-peony-flower-motif.jpg)
Research work by Dr Yibin Ni. See interview with Dr Ni here.