Antique vase "Flowers and butterflies", China, mid - second half of the 19th century. Mount: France (?), the second half of the 19th century. Copper alloy, bronze, enamels. This vase is an example of cloisonne cloisonne Chinese cloisonne enamel of the 19th century. In the design of European bronze of the same time. The balustrade-shaped vase, with a high stem and a mouth with a bell, is made of copper alloy and decorated with cloisonne. The stem and neck are decorated with belts of ornamental motifs, the entire surface of the vakha is occupied by flower bouquets and butterflies freely arranged on a blue background. In Chinese art, "flowers and insects" is a subgenre of the more general direction of painting "flowers and birds", a kind of fragmented landscape, depicting small motifs that reflect the harmony and beauty of nature. The butterfly in China is a symbol of freedom, lightness and joy, and is often a wish for happiness: jewelry in the shape of this insect is often an element of festive or wedding attire.