Vase
1300-1400 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This vase is one of a pair. Its decoration, which is drawn in black under a turquoise glaze, was influenced by ceramics from Syria. Vases of this shape are called ‘meiping’ in Chinese, meaning 'prunus vase'. Although they were used to hold prunus flowers, they served other functions as well. ‘Meiping’ vases were made at many different Chinese kilns from the 12th century to the 19th.
This elegant vase appealed to George Salting (1835-1909), a passionate collector who bequeathed to the Museum a large number of Chinese ceramics. When Salting bought this piece it was already more than 400 years old. The Chinese had always treasured ancient ceramics, but it was only after the opening up of China to the West after 1840 that antique items became available to other collectors. The appearance of these hitherto unknown objects on the British art market inspired artists to create new forms and patterns.
This elegant vase appealed to George Salting (1835-1909), a passionate collector who bequeathed to the Museum a large number of Chinese ceramics. When Salting bought this piece it was already more than 400 years old. The Chinese had always treasured ancient ceramics, but it was only after the opening up of China to the West after 1840 that antique items became available to other collectors. The appearance of these hitherto unknown objects on the British art market inspired artists to create new forms and patterns.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Stoneware, decorated in black under a turquoise glaze |
| Brief description | Cer, China, Ming, CIZHOU ware |
| Physical description | Chinese stoneware vase |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
CHINESE AND ENGLISH VERSIONS OF A VASE The turquoise vase is Chinese but decorated in a style that was quite rare in China and was originally influenced by ceramics from Syria. The British designer of the red vase seems to have been inspired by the 'mei ping' shape and its stylised lotus and foliage pattern. He has combined them with a fashionable red lustre glaze.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Salting Bequest |
| Object history | Bequeathed by Mr. George Salting, accessioned in 1910. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. Made at the Cizhou kilns in Hebei Province, China |
| Summary | This vase is one of a pair. Its decoration, which is drawn in black under a turquoise glaze, was influenced by ceramics from Syria. Vases of this shape are called ‘meiping’ in Chinese, meaning 'prunus vase'. Although they were used to hold prunus flowers, they served other functions as well. ‘Meiping’ vases were made at many different Chinese kilns from the 12th century to the 19th. This elegant vase appealed to George Salting (1835-1909), a passionate collector who bequeathed to the Museum a large number of Chinese ceramics. When Salting bought this piece it was already more than 400 years old. The Chinese had always treasured ancient ceramics, but it was only after the opening up of China to the West after 1840 that antique items became available to other collectors. The appearance of these hitherto unknown objects on the British art market inspired artists to create new forms and patterns. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.1012-1910 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
