Vase
1567-1572 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The wucai or five-colour style of decoration as illustrated by this vase involves the use of underglaze blue to provide areas for decoration, the other parts of the design being completed in red, green, yellow and brown/black enamel. The painting on this piece is executed in the more free and exuberant style that is typical of the 16th century. The vase has phoenix motifs on its sides. The phoenix has been depicted in Chinese art for thousands of years. It symbolises favour and fortune from the heavens as well as happiness and freedom, and the unity of the cosmos.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Porcelain, with underglaze blue and overglaze enamel decoration in 'wucai' style |
| Brief description | Vase, porcelain painted in underglaze blue and overglaze enamel decoration, 'wucai' style, China, Ming dynasty (1368-1644), Longqing mark and period (1567-1572) |
| Physical description | Vase of porcelain, baluster form with short neck. Painted with phoenixes, one on each side, flying alternately upwards and downwards amongst clouds. Round the base a border of vertical datepalm leaves. On the neck are six detached narrow panels containing spirals. It is painted in underglaze blue and red, green, yellow and manganese violet enamels with black outlines. Inscribed on the base with the mark of Longqing within a double circle in blue. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | 'Da ming long qing nian zhi' on base |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Given from the Bloxam Collection |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The wucai or five-colour style of decoration as illustrated by this vase involves the use of underglaze blue to provide areas for decoration, the other parts of the design being completed in red, green, yellow and brown/black enamel. The painting on this piece is executed in the more free and exuberant style that is typical of the 16th century. The vase has phoenix motifs on its sides. The phoenix has been depicted in Chinese art for thousands of years. It symbolises favour and fortune from the heavens as well as happiness and freedom, and the unity of the cosmos. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.139-1928 |
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| Record created | March 11, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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