This vase was produced at the imperial kilns of Jingdezhen for the court, and was probably used on a temple's altar to hold flowers. The colour scheme, generally known as wucai or 'five colours', combines underglaze blue and overglaze green, yellow, red, black and pale aubergine enamels; the design is outlined in black and red.
From documentary evidence we know that this vase was part of the imperial collection of the Summer Palace in Beijing. In a photograph of the garden taken in 1900 by Noel Du Boulay, Commandant of the British troops guarding the Summer Palace, the vase can be seen on a wooden table together with other jade and porcelain objects.
Physical description
Tall beaker-shaped vase with large foot, middle bulging section, long neck and flaring mouth; painted in underglaze blue and coloured enamels (wucai ware) with five-clawed dragons flying among cloud scrolls, peacoks with peonies, lotuses, rocks and waves.
Place of Origin
China (made)
Date
1573-1620 (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown
Materials and Techniques
Porcelain painted in underglaze blue and coloured enamels
Marks and inscriptions
大明萬曆年制
Da Ming Wanli nian zhi
Made during the Wanli reign of the Ming dynasty
In underglaze blue below the lip
Dimensions
Height: 57.3 cm
Object history note
Purchased from Messrs S. M. Franck & Co Ltd. From documentary evidence we now know that this vase was part of the imperial collection of the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) in Beijing. Yuanmingyuan was destroyed by British and French troops during the Second Opium War in 1860.
Descriptive line
Altar vase painted in underglaze blue and coloured enamels, wucai ware, Yuanmingyuan, China, Ming dynasty, Wanli mark and period (1573-1620)
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Hobson, R. L. Wares of the Ming dynasty. London: Benn Bros Ltd., 1923, p. 150, pl. 8
Ayers, John. Far Eastern ceramics in the Vistoria and Albert Museum. London: Sotheby Parke Bernet, 1980, cat. 171
Du Boulay, Anthony. The Summer Palace, Beijing 1900: an inventory by Noel Du Boulay, commandant 1900-1901. Transactions of the Oriental Ceramic Society. 1990-1991, vol. 55, p. 88 and 93, pl. 11
Labels and date
Porcelain altar vase, decorated over the glaze
Wanli reign period mark (1573-1620)
Ming dynasty [June 1991]
Materials
Porcelain
Subjects depicted
Rocks; Peacocks; Waves; Cloud scrolls; Dragons; Peonies
Categories
Porcelain
Collection
East Asia Collection