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

Vase

1573-1620 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Whether this vessel was used as a spittoon or as a vase is still unclear.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Porcelain painted in underglaze blue and overglaze enamels
Brief description
Vase, porcelain painted in underglaze blue and overglaze enamels with dragons chasing flaming pearls, China, Ming dynasty, Wanli period (1573-1620)
Physical description
Porcelain vase, squat globular body with a wide flaring neck and flaring rim, stands on a spreading foot. Painted in both underglaze blue and overglaze enamels in wucai style (five colours). On the outside, dragons chasing flaming pearls on the body, a band of squared spirals round the foot, same pattern decorated the neck between a border of floral scroll and a border of downward pointed leaves. On the inside, a border of scrolling foliage round the rim.
Dimensions
  • Height: 12.1cm
  • Diameter: 12.4cm
Styles
Marks and inscriptions
Wanli mark on base
Credit line
Purchased with Art Fund support, the Vallentin Bequest, Sir Percival David and the Universities China Committee
Subjects depicted
Summary
Whether this vessel was used as a spittoon or as a vase is still unclear.
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.88-1935

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Record createdJanuary 7, 2009
Record URL
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