CopyrightThe images and text contained on this page are owned by Telfair Museums or used by the Museum with permission from the owners. Unauthorized reproduction, transmission or display of these materials is prohibited with the exception of items deemed “fair use” as defined by U.S. and international copyright laws.Label TextA member of Margaret Gray Thomas’ family or friend may have decorated these dessert plates. Each featuring a unique bouquet, they include both wildflower and garden variety flowers, such as roses, violets, and asters, that often appear in guidebooks and articles that offered tips to china painters. China painting was a fashionable hobby and sometimes professional pursuit for many women in the late 19th century. They learned to paint in college courses, special studios, or workshops, and flowers were an especially popular subject.
Text written for the exhibition 'Lingua Flora,' on view from June 21–September 8, 2024.