Vase and Lid thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
China, Room 44, The T.T. Tsui Gallery

Vase and Lid

1796-1820 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Chinese emperors of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) performed rituals every year at the Altars of Heaven, Earth, the Sun and the Moon. The rituals were considered essential for the well-being of the empire. Porcelains of different colours were placed at different altars, namely dark blue for Altar of Heaven, yellow for Altar of Earth, red for Altar of the Sun and light blue (considered as 'moon white') for the Altar of the Moon. While performing the ritual the emperor would have worned a sacrificial robe of a matching colour.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Ritual Vessel (Dou)
  • Lid
Materials and techniques
Porcelain, decorated with yellow glaze
Brief description
Vase with yellow glaze, China, Qing dynasty, Jiaqing reign (1796-1820)
Dimensions
  • Height: 29.2cm
Style
Subjects depicted
Summary
Chinese emperors of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) performed rituals every year at the Altars of Heaven, Earth, the Sun and the Moon. The rituals were considered essential for the well-being of the empire. Porcelains of different colours were placed at different altars, namely dark blue for Altar of Heaven, yellow for Altar of Earth, red for Altar of the Sun and light blue (considered as 'moon white') for the Altar of the Moon. While performing the ritual the emperor would have worned a sacrificial robe of a matching colour.
Bibliographic reference
Rose Kerr, 'Chinese Ceramics, Porcelain of the Qing Dynasty, 1644-1911, V & A.1998, No.
Collection
Accession number
C.17&A-1968

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Record createdFebruary 26, 2004
Record URL
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