Not currently on display at the V&A

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
  • Height: 43.0cm
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) *******
Collection
Accession number
FE.17-1987

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Record createdFebruary 12, 2000
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