Summary

Richly gilded ceramic tile depicting a scene of invasion.

The small Chinese court at the 1880 Melbourne International Exhibition was located in the northern transept of the Royal Exhibition Building. Its principal feature was a large hexagonal temple that displayed tea from every province of China.

Physical Description

Tile, ceramic. Depicts a scene of invasion, within an intricate floral and geometric border. Two men stand outside a house waving flaming torches. In the doorway to the house, partially hidden from view, a richly dressed Japanese courtesan is leaning, watching their actions in alarm. Tile is gilded and intricately painted in russets, greens and gold.

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