Vase
1736-1795 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
The kilns of Jingdezhen in south-east China excelled in the production of a large range of coloured glazes during the 18th century. Some were revivals of ancient techniques, others were new combinations and variations in colour.
This vase is decorated with an opaque low-fired glaze commonly known as 'Robin's egg', which was produced from copper oxide and opacified with arsenic. The name probably derives from the distinctive freckles on the surface resembling the bird's eggs. A few examples of glazes with similar mottled effects dated to the Ming dynasty have been found in Jingdezhen, and it is possible that this glaze was a Qing revival of an earlier and very rare experiment.
This vase is decorated with an opaque low-fired glaze commonly known as 'Robin's egg', which was produced from copper oxide and opacified with arsenic. The name probably derives from the distinctive freckles on the surface resembling the bird's eggs. A few examples of glazes with similar mottled effects dated to the Ming dynasty have been found in Jingdezhen, and it is possible that this glaze was a Qing revival of an earlier and very rare experiment.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Porcelain with Robin's egg glaze |
Brief description | Vase, porcelain with 'robin's egg' glaze, China, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period (1736-1795) |
Physical description | Porcelain vase in baluster form, covered with an opaque turquoise-green glaze with mottled effects. |
Dimensions |
|
Styles | |
Gallery label | Glazed vase
China, 1736–95.
With ‘robin’s egg’ glaze
Museum nos. 297-1905, W.G. Gulland Gift(September 2009) |
Credit line | Given by W.G. Gulland, Esq. |
Object history | Given by Mr. W. G. Gulland, accessioned in 1905. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. |
Production | from label |
Summary | The kilns of Jingdezhen in south-east China excelled in the production of a large range of coloured glazes during the 18th century. Some were revivals of ancient techniques, others were new combinations and variations in colour. This vase is decorated with an opaque low-fired glaze commonly known as 'Robin's egg', which was produced from copper oxide and opacified with arsenic. The name probably derives from the distinctive freckles on the surface resembling the bird's eggs. A few examples of glazes with similar mottled effects dated to the Ming dynasty have been found in Jingdezhen, and it is possible that this glaze was a Qing revival of an earlier and very rare experiment. |
Collection | |
Accession number | 297-1905 |
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Record created | December 11, 2008 |
Record URL |
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