Ewer and Lid thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ceramics, Room 145

Ewer and Lid

ca. 1710 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This ewer was produced at the Jingdezhen kilns in southeast China in the early 18th century, and specifically made for export. The shape copies Middle Eastern metalworks.

Chinese potters have a long history of making shapes to meet the specific needs of European and Asian export markets. The trading companies supplied models and patterns to Chinese potters, who could copy them using their skills and local resources. In the Middle East, particulalry favoured were shapes such as large dishes for communal eating, ewers for hand-washing and footed cups for coffee. Decorations in powder blue, copper red and gilding were also very popular.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Ewer
  • Lid
Materials and techniques
Porcelain with moulded relief decoration painted in enamel and gilded
Brief description
Porcelain ewer and lid, with moulded relief decoration painted in red enamel and gilded, Jingdezhen, China, Qing dynasty, ca. 1700-1750
Physical description
Porcelain ewer and lid, one of a pair, with curved handle and spout, the neck and lower part of the body gadrooned with flowers and ornaments painted in red enamel and gold.
Dimensions
  • Height: 32.4cm
  • Diameter: 16.5cm
Styles
Gallery label
Ewer based on Middle Eastern metalwork, acquired in Iran China, about 1710 Museum no. 240B&C-1876(September 2009)
Object history
Acquisition method and source not identified in the Asia Department registers, accessioned in 1876. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project.
One of a pair [24&A-1876, 24B&C-1876]. Bought at 25 pounds and 5 shillings for the whole pair. Lord Bexley's sale, lot 58.;;
Subject depicted
Summary
This ewer was produced at the Jingdezhen kilns in southeast China in the early 18th century, and specifically made for export. The shape copies Middle Eastern metalworks.

Chinese potters have a long history of making shapes to meet the specific needs of European and Asian export markets. The trading companies supplied models and patterns to Chinese potters, who could copy them using their skills and local resources. In the Middle East, particulalry favoured were shapes such as large dishes for communal eating, ewers for hand-washing and footed cups for coffee. Decorations in powder blue, copper red and gilding were also very popular.
Bibliographic reference
Kerr, Rose and Luisa E. Mengoni Chinese Export Ceramics London: V&A Publishing, 2011, p.108, pl.152
Collection
Accession number
240B&C-1876

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Record createdDecember 8, 2008
Record URL
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