Pair of Ginger Jars
ca. 1700 (made), 1810 - 1830 (mounted)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This Chinese porcelain vase was made in about 1700, during the Kangxi period (1662-1722). It is mounted in gilt-bronze mounts of about 1815-1830. Oriental porcelain mounted in Europe with gold or silver-gilt mounts had been part of princely collections in the West since the 14th century. By the 18th century, porcelain was usually mounted in less costly gilt bronze. This vase and another similar piece were mounted as a 'pair'.
Time
Popular in France until the 1790s, the taste for such objects remained strong in Britain from 1800 to 1830, particularly in the high-society circles dominated by the Prince Regent. The mounts of this piece bear all the characteristic motifs of British taste in the Neo-classical style, such as the scrolls with curled leaves, paterae (flower heads), and acanthus leaves. Mounts provided an opportunity for the goldsmith to display great inventiveness and virtuosity.
Ownership & Use
By 1750 porcelain was no longer a precious and rare material. It thus became overwhelmed by elaborate mounts in the contemporary taste in order to form an essential, though decorative, part of a fashionable interior. Such pieces of mounted porcelain - formed into cups and covers, salts, tankards or, as here, mounted with the lids raised as pot pourri pots - were destined for display on buffets, mantelpieces or sideboards.
This Chinese porcelain vase was made in about 1700, during the Kangxi period (1662-1722). It is mounted in gilt-bronze mounts of about 1815-1830. Oriental porcelain mounted in Europe with gold or silver-gilt mounts had been part of princely collections in the West since the 14th century. By the 18th century, porcelain was usually mounted in less costly gilt bronze. This vase and another similar piece were mounted as a 'pair'.
Time
Popular in France until the 1790s, the taste for such objects remained strong in Britain from 1800 to 1830, particularly in the high-society circles dominated by the Prince Regent. The mounts of this piece bear all the characteristic motifs of British taste in the Neo-classical style, such as the scrolls with curled leaves, paterae (flower heads), and acanthus leaves. Mounts provided an opportunity for the goldsmith to display great inventiveness and virtuosity.
Ownership & Use
By 1750 porcelain was no longer a precious and rare material. It thus became overwhelmed by elaborate mounts in the contemporary taste in order to form an essential, though decorative, part of a fashionable interior. Such pieces of mounted porcelain - formed into cups and covers, salts, tankards or, as here, mounted with the lids raised as pot pourri pots - were destined for display on buffets, mantelpieces or sideboards.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 4 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Porcelain with gilt-bronze mounts |
| Brief description | Pair of porcelain vases and covers, China, about 1700, mounted in gilt-bronze, probably England, 1815-30 |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
Fine porcelain and lacquer from China and Japan were popular with collectors. The Prince Regent himself was one of the most active of these and his courtiers and diplomats soon followed his lead. As in France, Chinese porcelain was frequently embellished with gilt-bronze mounts in the Classical style. Here, the handles have been modelled as Classical anthemion (formalised flower) fronds.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Mrs T. R. P. Hole, in memory of Bettine, Lady Abingdon |
| Object history | From the collection of Sir Charles Stuart, later Lord Stuart de Rothesay (1779-1845)Vase made in China; mounts probably made in London |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Object Type This Chinese porcelain vase was made in about 1700, during the Kangxi period (1662-1722). It is mounted in gilt-bronze mounts of about 1815-1830. Oriental porcelain mounted in Europe with gold or silver-gilt mounts had been part of princely collections in the West since the 14th century. By the 18th century, porcelain was usually mounted in less costly gilt bronze. This vase and another similar piece were mounted as a 'pair'. Time Popular in France until the 1790s, the taste for such objects remained strong in Britain from 1800 to 1830, particularly in the high-society circles dominated by the Prince Regent. The mounts of this piece bear all the characteristic motifs of British taste in the Neo-classical style, such as the scrolls with curled leaves, paterae (flower heads), and acanthus leaves. Mounts provided an opportunity for the goldsmith to display great inventiveness and virtuosity. Ownership & Use By 1750 porcelain was no longer a precious and rare material. It thus became overwhelmed by elaborate mounts in the contemporary taste in order to form an essential, though decorative, part of a fashionable interior. Such pieces of mounted porcelain - formed into cups and covers, salts, tankards or, as here, mounted with the lids raised as pot pourri pots - were destined for display on buffets, mantelpieces or sideboards. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.105 to C-1987 |
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 | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
