Vase in the form of an archaic bronze vessel

Vase with rounded belly and tall slender neck; two vertical tubular “ears” on neck. Celadon.
Clay: hard, gray stoneware.
Glaze: thick, even, sea-green celadon with some random crackle.
Decoration: none; 6-character Hsuan-te mark incised under glaze on base.

Historical period(s)
Ming dynasty, Xuande reign, 1426-1435
Medium
Stoneware with celadon glaze
Style
Longquan ware
Dimensions
H x Diam: 25.7 × 13.9 cm (10 1/8 × 5 1/2 in)
Geography
China, Zhejiang province, Longquan
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1956.25
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Vessel
Type

Vase

Keywords
China, green glaze, Longquan ware, Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644), stoneware, Xuande reign (1426 - 1435)
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

Vase with rounded belly and tall slender neck; two vertical tubular "ears" on neck. Celadon.
Clay: hard, gray stoneware.
Glaze: thick, even, sea-green celadon with some random crackle.
Decoration: none; 6-character Hsuan-te mark incised under glaze on base.

Marking(s)

6-character Hsuan-te mark incised under glaze on base.

Label

Longquan-ware vases frequently took their forms from ancient Chinese bronze vessels, while their celadon glaze evoked the bronze patina. The tubular handles on the cylindrical neck of this vase copy those on a bronze vessel used for a game of pitching arrows. When not in use, the arrows were placed through the handles.  

Published References
  • Yutaka Mino, Katherine R. Tsiang. Ice and Green Clouds: Traditions of Chinese Celadon. Exh. cat. Indianapolis. .
  • Oriental Ceramics: The World's Great Collections. 12 vols., Tokyo. vol. 10, pl. 81.
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