Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ceramics, Room 145

Vase

1700-10 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This bottle was produced at the kilns of Jingdezhen, in south-east China, during the early 18th century, when the fashion for Chinese porcelain was at its highest in Europe. Jingdezhen was at the time the major ceramic centre in China, supplying both the domestic and export markets.

The type of brown glaze, developed in the mid 17th century, was called 'capucine ware' or 'Batavia brown' from the name of the major Dutch port in Indonesia. Used in combination with reserved decorations in underglaze blue and polychrome enamels, it was specifically produced for export and remained popular until the mid 18th century.

Chinese porcelain objects were used as tableware or exhibited as decorative pieces in the residences of aristocrats and wealthy people, as part of the so-called 'porcelain rooms'. One of the largest collection of Chinese porcelain known in Europe belonged to August the Strong of Saxony (d. 1733), who owned more than 21,000 pieces.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Porcelain with brown glaze and underglaze blue decoration
Brief description
Vase, porcelain with brown glaze and underglaze blue decoration, China, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722)
Physical description
Porcelain vase, of triple gourd form with hooded spreading mouth. The lower half covered with brown glaze; the upper half painted in underglaze blue with sprays of flowers and stylised floral panels.
Dimensions
  • Height: 23.6cm
  • Diameter: 10.4cm
Styles
Gallery label
Triple-gourd bottle with brown glaze China, Jingdezhen, 1700–10 Museum no. C.954-1910. Salting Bequest(September 2009)
Credit line
Salting Bequest
Object history
Bequeathed by Mr. George Salting, accessioned in 1910. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project.
Production
Register
Subject depicted
Summary
This bottle was produced at the kilns of Jingdezhen, in south-east China, during the early 18th century, when the fashion for Chinese porcelain was at its highest in Europe. Jingdezhen was at the time the major ceramic centre in China, supplying both the domestic and export markets.

The type of brown glaze, developed in the mid 17th century, was called 'capucine ware' or 'Batavia brown' from the name of the major Dutch port in Indonesia. Used in combination with reserved decorations in underglaze blue and polychrome enamels, it was specifically produced for export and remained popular until the mid 18th century.

Chinese porcelain objects were used as tableware or exhibited as decorative pieces in the residences of aristocrats and wealthy people, as part of the so-called 'porcelain rooms'. One of the largest collection of Chinese porcelain known in Europe belonged to August the Strong of Saxony (d. 1733), who owned more than 21,000 pieces.
Other number
Loan no. 145
Collection
Accession number
C.954-1910

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Record createdDecember 19, 2008
Record URL
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