Lidded Vase
1736-1750 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This is one of a pair of vases made from porcelain (C.1379&A-1910). It is decorated in enamel colours applied over the glaze. The lid knob is in the shape of a lotus bud.
Time
This vase was made during the early years (1736-1750) of the reign of the Qianlong emperor (reigned 1736-1795), a time that saw a developing taste for Chinese objects and fashions among Europeans. The period also marked a defining point in the direct encounter between China and the West. The Macartney embassy, named after its leader, George, 1st Earl Macartney, voyaged to China and back between 1792 and 1794. It was the first occasion on which British diplomats, well-versed in the ideas of the European Enlightenment, met the head of the most populous country on earth. Free trade was the mission's goal, but the Chinese emperor was not enthusiastic, and Macartney returned home a disappointed man.
Materials & Making
Division of labour was well established at Jingdezhen, the vast kiln complex where this vase was made. In the course of its production, a piece of porcelain passed through many hands in tightly organised workshops. Once the workshops had completed orders to supply the imperial court, Chinese entrepreneurs were free to control subsequent output.
This is one of a pair of vases made from porcelain (C.1379&A-1910). It is decorated in enamel colours applied over the glaze. The lid knob is in the shape of a lotus bud.
Time
This vase was made during the early years (1736-1750) of the reign of the Qianlong emperor (reigned 1736-1795), a time that saw a developing taste for Chinese objects and fashions among Europeans. The period also marked a defining point in the direct encounter between China and the West. The Macartney embassy, named after its leader, George, 1st Earl Macartney, voyaged to China and back between 1792 and 1794. It was the first occasion on which British diplomats, well-versed in the ideas of the European Enlightenment, met the head of the most populous country on earth. Free trade was the mission's goal, but the Chinese emperor was not enthusiastic, and Macartney returned home a disappointed man.
Materials & Making
Division of labour was well established at Jingdezhen, the vast kiln complex where this vase was made. In the course of its production, a piece of porcelain passed through many hands in tightly organised workshops. Once the workshops had completed orders to supply the imperial court, Chinese entrepreneurs were free to control subsequent output.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Porcelain painted with enamel colours |
| Brief description | Vase and lid, porcelain painted with coloured enamels, China, Jingdezhen, Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), 1735-1750 |
| Physical description | Vase and lid of porcelain, bulbous form with knopped-lid, purple with floral motifs in variously shaped white medallions |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Gallery label |
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| 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 in Jingdezhen, China;; |
| Summary | Object Type This is one of a pair of vases made from porcelain (C.1379&A-1910). It is decorated in enamel colours applied over the glaze. The lid knob is in the shape of a lotus bud. Time This vase was made during the early years (1736-1750) of the reign of the Qianlong emperor (reigned 1736-1795), a time that saw a developing taste for Chinese objects and fashions among Europeans. The period also marked a defining point in the direct encounter between China and the West. The Macartney embassy, named after its leader, George, 1st Earl Macartney, voyaged to China and back between 1792 and 1794. It was the first occasion on which British diplomats, well-versed in the ideas of the European Enlightenment, met the head of the most populous country on earth. Free trade was the mission's goal, but the Chinese emperor was not enthusiastic, and Macartney returned home a disappointed man. Materials & Making Division of labour was well established at Jingdezhen, the vast kiln complex where this vase was made. In the course of its production, a piece of porcelain passed through many hands in tightly organised workshops. Once the workshops had completed orders to supply the imperial court, Chinese entrepreneurs were free to control subsequent output. |
| Associated objects |
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| Bibliographic reference | Rose Kerr Chinese Ceramics, Porcelain of the Qing Dynasty 1644-1911' V&A, 1998, No 92…
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.1380&A-1910 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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