Vase
1700-10 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This beaker-shaped vase 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 major ceramic centre in China, supplying both the domestic and export markets.
The shape of this vase imitates the gu bronze vessel used in ancient China for the rituals to the ancestors; well established as a 'classic' form for ceramic and jade objects when a renewed taste for archaism developed during the Qing dynasty, it also became very popular in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Vases of this type were purchased in bulk for the residences of aristocrats and wealthy people, and exhibited as part of a set of five, including three lidded jars, in the garniture de cheminée or on the walls 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 of this vase imitates the gu bronze vessel used in ancient China for the rituals to the ancestors; well established as a 'classic' form for ceramic and jade objects when a renewed taste for archaism developed during the Qing dynasty, it also became very popular in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Vases of this type were purchased in bulk for the residences of aristocrats and wealthy people, and exhibited as part of a set of five, including three lidded jars, in the garniture de cheminée or on the walls 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 | |
| Materials and techniques | Porcelain painted in underglaze blue |
| Brief description | Beaker-shaped vase, porcelain painted in underglaze blue, China, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722) |
| Physical description | Porcelain beaker-shaped vase, painted in underglaze blue, round the middle with a band of lotus scrolls, bordered by fish roe bands, followed by bands of overlapping petals and plantain leaves. Above, four large ruyi panels containing lotus scrolls and emblems in reserve and joined by double ruyi heads; individual radiating motifs, formed by four stylised clouds and a central ruyi head. Borders of ruyi heads and diaper-work are above the foot and below the rim. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Styles | |
| Gallery label | Large beaker vase
China, Jingdezhen, 1700–10
Museum no. C.833-1910. Salting Bequest(September 2009) |
| 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. |
| Production | Register: Kangxi reign (1662-1722) |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This beaker-shaped vase 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 major ceramic centre in China, supplying both the domestic and export markets. The shape of this vase imitates the gu bronze vessel used in ancient China for the rituals to the ancestors; well established as a 'classic' form for ceramic and jade objects when a renewed taste for archaism developed during the Qing dynasty, it also became very popular in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. Vases of this type were purchased in bulk for the residences of aristocrats and wealthy people, and exhibited as part of a set of five, including three lidded jars, in the garniture de cheminée or on the walls 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. 1335 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.833-1910 |
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 | December 18, 2008 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
