Vase

Vase, four-sided; animalistic handles and high, moulded foot. Clay: heavy, white porcelain. Glaze: pure white, glossy; covering the entire surface. Decorated with over glaze enamels. Six-character seal mark of the Ch’ien Lung period in underglaze blue under the foot.

Historical period(s)
Qing dynasty, 1736-1795
Medium
Glazed clay
Style
Jingdezhen ware
Dimensions
H x W x D: 27.2 x 19.2 x 12.1 cm (10 11/16 x 7 9/16 x 4 3/4 in)
Geography
China, Jiangxi province, Jingdezhen
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1945.34
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Vessel
Type

Vase

Keywords
bamboo, bird, China, flower, Jingdezhen ware, magpie, plum blossom, Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911)
Provenance

To 1945
T. H. Ching, New York. [1]

From 1945
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from T. H. Ching, New York. [2]

Notes:

[1] Curatorial Remark 1 in the object record.

[2] See note 1.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

T. H. Ching

Description

Vase, four-sided; animalistic handles and high, moulded foot. Clay: heavy, white porcelain. Glaze: pure white, glossy; covering the entire surface. Decorated with over glaze enamels. Six-character seal mark of the Ch'ien Lung period in underglaze blue under the foot.

Marking(s)

1. (From original folder sheet note 4) (H.C. Lovell, 1975) The vase is rectangular in section, and its gently convex sides are constricted at the shoulder and above the foot. It was moulded in two halves and luted together along the median of the two narrower sides, over which two handles in stylized dragon form are applied. The four faces of the vase are decorated with floral designs indicating the four seasons: peonies for spring, bamboo intertwined with morning glory for summer, chrysanthemums for autumn, and blossoming plum tree with bamboo for winter. The designs are delicately rendered in overglaze enamels in green, blue, pink, yellow, white and black. The dragon handles are painted with blue enamel, their backs bearing a fern-like scroll. A six character mark reading Ta Ch'ing Ch'ien-lung nien-chih, "Made in the reign of Ch'ien lung of the Ch'ing dynasty," in seal script is written in underglaze blue on the base.

Label

This porcelain vase, based on an archaic ritual bronze vessel, is decorated with enameled flower and bird paintings. The four floral designs are composed of roses and bamboo intertwined with morning glories, chrysanthemums and a blossoming plum tree with magpies. In traditional Chinese lore, magpies are symbolic of happiness.

Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
SI Usage Statement

Usage Conditions Apply

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery welcome information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

citation | Save this image How to download an image | Request Permission | Terms of Use