Rose Water Sprinkler
1700-10 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
In South Asia and the Middle East water scented with roses was liberally strewn over guests upon arrival and before or after a meal. Most examples were made in glass, and a few in precious metal. They were used in Europe for a similar purpose probably as part of the toilette or dressing set.
This rose water sprinkler 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.
Chinese porcelain objects were used in the residences of aristocrats and wealthy people as tableware or containers of various kinds, as well as exhibited on wall brackets, in cabinets and on shelves above fireplaces. 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.
This rose water sprinkler 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.
Chinese porcelain objects were used in the residences of aristocrats and wealthy people as tableware or containers of various kinds, as well as exhibited on wall brackets, in cabinets and on shelves above fireplaces. 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 | Porcelain rose water sprinkler, painted in underglaze blue, Jingdezhen, China, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722) |
| Physical description | Porcelain rose water sprinkler, gourd-shaped with long tapering neck and high spreading foot. Painted in underglaze blue on the body with four large shaped panels containing flowering plant, interspersed by four sceptre-heads (ruyi) above. On the upper gourd are four flower-heads. On the neck, two flowers on tall stems with stylised flying insects between them. Bands of triangle-work round the mouth, the waist and the foot. A row of circles on the upper foot. |
| Dimensions |
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| Styles | |
| Gallery label | Rosewater sprinkler
China, Jingdezhen, 1700–10
Museum no. C.317-1918. R. Clarke Edwards Gift(September 2009) |
| Credit line | Given by R. Clarke Edwards |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | In South Asia and the Middle East water scented with roses was liberally strewn over guests upon arrival and before or after a meal. Most examples were made in glass, and a few in precious metal. They were used in Europe for a similar purpose probably as part of the toilette or dressing set. This rose water sprinkler 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. Chinese porcelain objects were used in the residences of aristocrats and wealthy people as tableware or containers of various kinds, as well as exhibited on wall brackets, in cabinets and on shelves above fireplaces. 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. 37 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.317-1918 |
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| Record created | December 29, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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