Peacock Trivia Challenge

A close up image of a peacock with its tailfeathers open.

Turkeys may be the star of Thanksgiving, but at the National Museum of Asian Art, it’s always about the peacock. Spread your wings and take our quiz to see whether you’re a turkey or a true-blue NMAA peacock.

QUIZ START

The Princess from the Land of Porcelain as seen in the Peacock room

#1. How many peacocks actually appear in James McNeill Whistler’s Peacock Room?

Peacock in Freer Gallery of Art Courtyard, archival photo in sepia tone, ca. 1923

#2. True or false: Live peacocks once roamed free in the Freer Gallery.

False

True

Painted mural of two peacocks on the wall of the Peacock Room at the Freer Gallery of Art

#3. This image shows the famous mural inside the Peacock Room entitled “Art and Money: or The Story of the Room.” These peacocks are said to represent Whistler and his patron, Frederick Leyland, battling over the artist’s bill. Which peacock is Leyland and which is Whistler?

Whistler on the right, Leyland on the left

Neither—these were their pet peacocks

Leyland on the right, Whistler on the left

Peacock mural in the Peacock Room at the Freer Gallery of Art, the shelves are lined with Chinese blue and white porcelain

#4. The fighting peacocks representing Whistler and Leyland have paste gemstone eyes. What type of gemstones are they?

Ruby and Pearl

Opal and Ruby

Emerald and Diamond

Sapphire and Emerald

#5. What material is this peacock pendant made from? (Hint: It was recovered from the ancient Chinese city of Anyang. Look for the exciting new exhibition featuring Anyang and the Shang dynasty at NMAA in January 2023!)

marble

amber

wood

jade

blue and white vases on gilded shelving in the green and blue peacock room

#6. What is the full title of the masterpiece we call the Peacock Room?

The Porcelain Throne

Harmony in Blue and Gold

All That Glisters Is Not Gold

The Princess from the Land of Porcelain

#7. The peacock is the national bird of what country featured at the National Museum of Asian Art?

Thailand

Japan

India

United States

#8. Both turkeys and peacocks are considered particularly aggressive birds. If a turkey and a peacock were to fight, which bird would win?

Turkey

Peacock

It would be a tie.

Finish

Results

Shake those tail feathers! You’re a peacock.

🦚

Strut like the beautiful bird you are and make sure everyone knows you’re an NMAA expert! Just be careful you don’t get too (pea)cocky!

Gobble gobble. Looks like you’re a turkey.

🦃

But don’t be in a fowl mood, feathered friend–there’s a reason you tough birds are the Thanksgiving mascot. Try again!

Turkeys may be the star of Thanksgiving, but at the National Museum of Asian Art, it’s always about the peacock. Spread your wings and take our quiz to see whether you’re a turkey or a true-blue NMAA peacock.

#1. How many peacocks actually appear in James McNeill Whistler’s Peacock Room?

#2. True or false: Live peacocks once roamed free in the Freer Gallery.

#3. This image shows the famous mural inside the Peacock Room entitled “Art and Money: or The Story of the Room.” These peacocks are said to represent Whistler and his patron, Frederick Leyland, battling over the artist’s bill. Which peacock is Leyland and which is Whistler?

#4. The fighting peacocks representing Whistler and Leyland have paste gemstone eyes. What type of gemstones are they?

#5. What material is this peacock pendant made from? (Hint: It was recovered from the ancient Chinese city of Anyang. Look for the exciting new exhibition featuring Anyang and the Shang dynasty at NMAA in January 2023!)

#6. What is the full title of the masterpiece we call the Peacock Room?

#7. The peacock is the national bird of what country featured at the National Museum of Asian Art?

#8. Both turkeys and peacocks are considered particularly aggressive birds. If a turkey and a peacock were to fight, which bird would win?

Results

Shake those tail feathers! You’re a peacock.

🦚

Strut like the beautiful bird you are and make sure everyone knows you’re an NMAA expert! Just be careful you don’t get too (pea)cocky!

Gobble gobble. Looks like you’re a turkey.

🦃

But don’t be in a fowl mood, feathered friend–there’s a reason you tough birds are the Thanksgiving mascot. Try again!

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