Vase
ca. 1947 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Shen Fuwen, a native of Fuzhou, is the leading figure in 20th-century Chinese lacquer. In 1935 he studied lacquering under Matsuda Gonroku (1896-1986) in Tokyo, and he shows use of typical Gonroku techniques in his art, most notably crushed eggshell. This vase, a pre-liberation piece, reveals Shen's attempts to revitalise 20th-century Chinese decoration by moving beyond the Ming/Qing repertory to the motifs and techniques of earlier dynasties. The olive and brown streaks on the body of the vase recall the streaked glazes of Tang earthenware, a possible source of inspiration.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Lacquered wood, inlaid with crushed eggshell |
Brief description | Vase of lacquered wood, made about 1947 by Shen Fuwen, Shanghai, China. |
Physical description | A high-shouldered baluster vase with raised short neck and lip, executed in smooth lacquer on a heavy wooden core. the lacquer technique is a variant of 'xipi': long lines of olive and brown lacquer, probably over a composition base have been laid vertically down the body then lacquered over in a reddish-buff. This has then been polished down to give a visual effect of a red body with olive and brown streaks. The flat uper surface of the rim is inlaid with small pieces of crushed eggshell. There is a red sealmark 'Shen Fuwen yin' on the recessed black lacquered base. |
Dimensions |
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Style | |
Marks and inscriptions | 'Shen Fuwen yin' stamped in red on base |
Gallery label | VASE
About 1945, Shen Fuwen (1906-2000)
Lacquer on wood, inlaid with crushed eggshell
Sichuan province
Museum no. FE.17-1987(28/03/2012) |
Object history | From maker to vendor. |
Production | Artist: Shen Fuwen (1906- ) Biographical reference: Zhongguo yishujia cidian. xiandai diwu fence, pp.434-435. Shanghai, Shanghai, CHINA |
Summary | Shen Fuwen, a native of Fuzhou, is the leading figure in 20th-century Chinese lacquer. In 1935 he studied lacquering under Matsuda Gonroku (1896-1986) in Tokyo, and he shows use of typical Gonroku techniques in his art, most notably crushed eggshell. This vase, a pre-liberation piece, reveals Shen's attempts to revitalise 20th-century Chinese decoration by moving beyond the Ming/Qing repertory to the motifs and techniques of earlier dynasties. The olive and brown streaks on the body of the vase recall the streaked glazes of Tang earthenware, a possible source of inspiration. |
Bibliographic reference | 'Sichuan qiqi', Chugoku kogei bijutsu sosho. Chugoku shikki hen I (Kyoto, 1982), p. 135 (NAL J DD 84): Craig Clunas, 'High Craft or Tourist Art? Contemporary Chinese Lacquer', V & A Album, (Autumn 1988)
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Collection | |
Accession number | FE.17-1987 |
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Record created | February 12, 2000 |
Record URL |
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