Vase
1700-1722 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This small vase has a cylindrical body topped by a slender neck with flanged mouth. It is decorated in underglaze blue with lotuses amongst scrolling foliage placed between two rows of lotuses within panels. On the shoulder are square spirals and further meandering stems. On the base is the mark Xichao yazhi (elegantly made in the prosperous reign) written in underglaze blue.
Xichao yazhi is a commendatory mark. Similar marks such as Xichao qiwan (rare curios of the prosperous reign) and Xichao chuangu (heirloom antiques of the prosperous reign) are also known.
In the V&A collection is a vase of similar shape, size and decoration, but with a Chenghua nian zhi mark (C586-1910), the writing clearly by the same calligrapher. This should remind us that whilst the majority of marks are meaningful and can be studied, a few of them were selected at random and served almost as no more than ground fillers.
Xichao yazhi is a commendatory mark. Similar marks such as Xichao qiwan (rare curios of the prosperous reign) and Xichao chuangu (heirloom antiques of the prosperous reign) are also known.
In the V&A collection is a vase of similar shape, size and decoration, but with a Chenghua nian zhi mark (C586-1910), the writing clearly by the same calligrapher. This should remind us that whilst the majority of marks are meaningful and can be studied, a few of them were selected at random and served almost as no more than ground fillers.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Porcelain painted in underglaze blue |
| Brief description | Vase, porcelain painted in underglaze blue; China (Jingdezhen), Qing dynasty, Kangxi period, 1700-22 |
| Physical description | This small vase has a cylindrical body topped by a slender neck with flanged mouth. It is decorated in underglaze blue with lotuses amongst scrolling foliage placed between two rows of lotuses within panels. On the shoulder are square spirals and further meandering stems. On the base is the mark Xichao yazhi (elegantly made in the prosperous reign) written in underglaze blue. Xichao yazhi is a commendatory mark. Similar marks such as Xichao qiwan (rare curios of the prosperous reign) and Xichao chuangu (heirloom antiques of the prosperous reign) are also known. In the V&A collection is a vase of similar shape, size and decoration, but with a Chenghua nian zhi mark (C586-1910), the writing clearly by the same calligrapher. This should remind us that whilst the majority of marks are meaningful and can be studied, a few of them were selected at random and served almost as no more than ground fillers. |
| Dimensions |
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| Styles | |
| Marks and inscriptions | Mark: 'Xichao yazhi' written in underglaze blue on the base
|
| 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. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Bibliographic reference | Wilson, Ming, Rare marks on Chinese ceramics, London : Published by the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1998
71 |
| Other number | Loan no. 2693 - Previous loan number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.583-1910 |
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| Record created | February 9, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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