Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
China, Room 44, The T.T. Tsui Gallery

Vase

1522-66 (made)
Place of origin

This thickly potted vase is made of porcelain and is painted with cobalt blue under the glaze. It has been formed in the shape of a double gourd. The gourd is closely associated with Daoism. Li Tieguai, one of the eight Daoist immortals is often depicted carrying a double gourd which was said to contain a magical elixir. It is symbolic of longevity, magic and medicine. The character 'Shou' meaning longevity is a common decorative motif on Chinese ceramics and it was often used to decorate birthday gifts in the hope that the recipient would enjoy a long life.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Cer, China, Ming, vase
Physical description
Thickly potted porcelain vase in the shape of a double gourd, painted with cobalt blue under the glaze with the character 'Shou' meaning Longevity, repeated in various styles all over the vase.
Dimensions
  • Height: 23.75in
  • Diameter: 12.5in
Styles
Production typeMass produced
Credit line
Given from the Bloxam Collection
Subjects depicted
Association
Summary
This thickly potted vase is made of porcelain and is painted with cobalt blue under the glaze. It has been formed in the shape of a double gourd. The gourd is closely associated with Daoism. Li Tieguai, one of the eight Daoist immortals is often depicted carrying a double gourd which was said to contain a magical elixir. It is symbolic of longevity, magic and medicine. The character 'Shou' meaning longevity is a common decorative motif on Chinese ceramics and it was often used to decorate birthday gifts in the hope that the recipient would enjoy a long life.
Bibliographic reference
Ayers, John, 'Far Eastern Ceramics in the Victoria and Albert Museum' Monochrome plate 159.
Collection
Accession number
C.134-1928

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Record createdDecember 3, 2008
Record URL
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