Vase and Lid
1700-10 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This hexagonal bottle was produced at the kilns of Jingdezhen, in south-east China, during the early 18th century, when the fashion for Chinese porcelain was at its highest in Europe. Jingdezhen thrived at the time as the most important ceramic centre in China, supplying both the domestic and export markets.
The shape derives from a European model, probably a glass bottle for alcoholic drinks like gin or brandy. Chinese potters would copy a ceramic model imported from Europe and decorated it with popular traditional motifs like floral scrolls.
Porcelain bottles were used as tableware and for travel, or were exhibited as decorative objects in the residences of aristocrats and wealthy people, as part of the so-called 'porcelain rooms'. One of the largest collection of Chinese porcelain known in Europe belonged to August the Strong of Saxony (d. 1733), who owned more than 21,000 pieces.
The shape derives from a European model, probably a glass bottle for alcoholic drinks like gin or brandy. Chinese potters would copy a ceramic model imported from Europe and decorated it with popular traditional motifs like floral scrolls.
Porcelain bottles were used as tableware and for travel, or were exhibited as decorative objects in the residences of aristocrats and wealthy people, as part of the so-called 'porcelain rooms'. One of the largest collection of Chinese porcelain known in Europe belonged to August the Strong of Saxony (d. 1733), who owned more than 21,000 pieces.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Porcelain painted in underglaze blue |
| Brief description | Vase and lid, porcelain with underglaze blue decoration, China, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722) |
| Physical description | Porcelain vase and lid, hexagonal body with flat shoulder and cylindrical lid. Painted in underglaze blue, on each side with vertical four-lobed panel containing stylised foliage reserved on a blue ground. Above and below are pointed leaf and stylised cloud diaper. On the shoulder are cloud scrolls; the base is flat and unglazed. On the top of the lid is a chrysanthemum, on the side are leaf motifs. |
| Dimensions |
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| Styles | |
| 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. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This hexagonal bottle was produced at the kilns of Jingdezhen, in south-east China, during the early 18th century, when the fashion for Chinese porcelain was at its highest in Europe. Jingdezhen thrived at the time as the most important ceramic centre in China, supplying both the domestic and export markets. The shape derives from a European model, probably a glass bottle for alcoholic drinks like gin or brandy. Chinese potters would copy a ceramic model imported from Europe and decorated it with popular traditional motifs like floral scrolls. Porcelain bottles were used as tableware and for travel, or were exhibited as decorative objects in the residences of aristocrats and wealthy people, as part of the so-called 'porcelain rooms'. One of the largest collection of Chinese porcelain known in Europe belonged to August the Strong of Saxony (d. 1733), who owned more than 21,000 pieces. |
| Other number | Loan no. 401 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.788&A-1910 |
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| Record created | December 17, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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