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Vase
Unknown - Enlarge image
Vase
- Place of origin:
Jingdezhen, China (made)
- Date:
1662-1722 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Unknown (production)
- Materials and Techniques:
Porcelain, painted in underglaze cobalt blue
- Museum number:
8516-1863
- Gallery location:
On Display
This vase is made of fine porcelain painted in underglaze blue with a design of flowering shrubs and rocks. The style of decoration and the elephant-head handles and rings are elements particularly associated with the East. Commonly known as 'Chinese blue-and -white', vases like this were used to decorate the interiors of many British homes in the 19th century. Being hand-painted, minor differences between this vase and its companion (Museum no. 8515-1863) are discernible.
Chinese blue-and-white had been imported into Britain since the 16th century. Although by the 1870s they were no longer rarity items, they continued to feature prominently in interior design. Rooms were filled with blue-and-white porcelain of different shapes and sizes to create a sumptuous effect. Older pieces were displayed alongside newer products.
