Bowl
1736-1795 (made), ca. 1740-60 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The European practice of adding metal mounts to Chinese porcelain dates back to the 14th century. Porcelain was then seen as an exotic material worthy of gold and embellishments. From about 1680, ceramics with metal mounts - silver, gilt silver or gilt bronze, became popular in Europe. This taste for mounted ceramics was especially prevalent at the court of Louise XV (1710-79). Entire ceramic objects, separate parts or cut down components were set in gilt bronze mounts and turned into luxury items suitable for fashionable European interiors.
This pair of objects belong to a bequest made by John Jones, a former tailor and army clothier, after his death in 1882. Many of the Chinese porcelain pieces he bequeathed have gilt bronze French mounts that date to 1700-1790. The transformation of these objects into richly decorated artefacts certainly appealed to the taste of European collectors.
This pair of objects belong to a bequest made by John Jones, a former tailor and army clothier, after his death in 1882. Many of the Chinese porcelain pieces he bequeathed have gilt bronze French mounts that date to 1700-1790. The transformation of these objects into richly decorated artefacts certainly appealed to the taste of European collectors.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Porcelain with celadon glaze and gilt bronze mount |
| Brief description | Bowl and cover, porcelain with celadon glaze, China, Qianlong period (1736-95), with gilt bronze mount, France, ca. 1740-60, one of a pair |
| Physical description | The object is made of two idential porcelain bowls with celadon glaze, each incised on the exterior with freely drawn lines. One bowl is inverted over the other and is separated by a band of gilt bronze with scrolls and openings. The lower bowl is supported on a tall gilt bronze base of scrolling acanthus that forms the feet. The base is also pierced with ovaloes. At each side the lower half of the bowl is held by gilt-bronze straps with scrolling acanthus that rise to form handles. A gilt-bronze finial in the form of flowers forms a handle for the upper bowl. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Bequeathed by John Jones |
| Object history | Bequeathed by John Jones, accessioned in 1882. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. |
| Historical context | The openings in the gilt-bronze rim that separates the upper and lower bowls suggest that it could be used as a container for potpourri to scent the air. |
| Summary | The European practice of adding metal mounts to Chinese porcelain dates back to the 14th century. Porcelain was then seen as an exotic material worthy of gold and embellishments. From about 1680, ceramics with metal mounts - silver, gilt silver or gilt bronze, became popular in Europe. This taste for mounted ceramics was especially prevalent at the court of Louise XV (1710-79). Entire ceramic objects, separate parts or cut down components were set in gilt bronze mounts and turned into luxury items suitable for fashionable European interiors. This pair of objects belong to a bequest made by John Jones, a former tailor and army clothier, after his death in 1882. Many of the Chinese porcelain pieces he bequeathed have gilt bronze French mounts that date to 1700-1790. The transformation of these objects into richly decorated artefacts certainly appealed to the taste of European collectors. |
| Associated object | |
| Bibliographic reference | Kerr, Rose and Luisa E. Mengoni Chinese Export Ceramics London: V&A Publishing, 2011, p.89, pl.121
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 811:1-1882 |
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| Record created | June 25, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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