Vase
ca. 1630-1645 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This vase was produced at the Jingdezhen kilns in southern China in the decade preceding the end of the Ming dynasty in 1644 or soon after. At this time the export activities from China to Europe were dominated by the Dutch East India Company, established in 1602.
The cylindrical shape of this vase, very popular during the 17th century, was called rolwagen in Dutch inventories. The decoration of fantastic animals belongs to the traditional Chinese repertoire: the qilin is one of the four mythical animals and an auspicious symbol, a creature with horns, hooves and a body similar to a deer but with scales. The phoenix is another of the four mythical animals; associated to the south, it symbolises longevity and prosperity.
The cylindrical shape of this vase, very popular during the 17th century, was called rolwagen in Dutch inventories. The decoration of fantastic animals belongs to the traditional Chinese repertoire: the qilin is one of the four mythical animals and an auspicious symbol, a creature with horns, hooves and a body similar to a deer but with scales. The phoenix is another of the four mythical animals; associated to the south, it symbolises longevity and prosperity.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Porcelain painted in underglaze blue |
| Brief description | Porcelain vase painted in underlaze blue with phoenix, qilin and insects, China, Ming dynasty, ca. 1630-1644. |
| Physical description | Porcelain vase of cylindrical shape with slightly contracted neck, decorated in underglaze blue with phoenix, qilin, butterflies, bamboo and peonies; round the rim a band of stylised leaves. |
| Dimensions |
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| Styles | |
| Gallery label | Vase
Porcelain with decoration in underglaze blue
Magical creatures phoenix and qilin, with insects and flowers
About 1630-1645
Burman Bequest(1987) |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Mr Andrew Burman |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This vase was produced at the Jingdezhen kilns in southern China in the decade preceding the end of the Ming dynasty in 1644 or soon after. At this time the export activities from China to Europe were dominated by the Dutch East India Company, established in 1602. The cylindrical shape of this vase, very popular during the 17th century, was called rolwagen in Dutch inventories. The decoration of fantastic animals belongs to the traditional Chinese repertoire: the qilin is one of the four mythical animals and an auspicious symbol, a creature with horns, hooves and a body similar to a deer but with scales. The phoenix is another of the four mythical animals; associated to the south, it symbolises longevity and prosperity. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.419-1926 |
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| Record created | November 7, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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