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The Great White Fleet vase demonstrates that this pattern was in use at least as early as 1908. A Butterfield's auction for a vase with this pattern and medallions featuring the crossed flags and a dragon:

"On October 29th, 1908 the Second Squadron, consisting of eight US battleships, arrived in the harbor of the island of Amoy in China.
Vases such as the pair featured in this lot were presented to the officers of the Second Squadron. Apparently these were specially commissioned by the Empress Dowager Cixi in order to commemorate this historic visit."

It seems to have been a very popular design in early 20th century monochrome cloisonne pieces, and shows up in colored versions as well. It does look very effective in monochrome, and evidently was a favorite of Lao Tian Li, judging by the number of signed pieces.

The modern labeled piece indicates it was also still being used right up to the 1980s, and maybe last week. The more recent versions are less detailed.

But what is it called? Surely the Chinese have a name for it, as I cannot see a workshop master saying, "Today we make some pieces in the watchamacallit pattern."

A correspondent suggested a similarity to the European acanthus scrolls design, which presumably the Qing court was familiar with. Was the pattern inspired by Victorian scroll designs, but transformed with distinctive Chinese beauty and flair?

Is there a corresponding design in porcelain, or is this a cloisonne pattern only?

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