China

Room 7

PORCELAIN FROM THE JINGDEZHEN KILNS – QING DYNASTY
中國陶瓷 - 清代景德鎮窯

Case 30

Clair-de-lune and white glazed ware 天藍釉與白瓷器

Porcelain from the Jingdezhen kilns 景德鎮窯, Jiangxi Province 江西省, Qing dynasty 清代 (1644-1911).

The long history of monochrome ware in China began in the Neolithic, and reached a first peak during the Song dynasty 宋代 (960-1279). The fondness for bright monochrome glazes would later achieve unprecedented popularity under the Qing, when potters had at their disposal an unrivalled range of colours which they freely exploited in order to meet the demand for luxury goods for the Imperial Palace and the court.

  1. Vase with Guan glaze 仿官窯瓶

    Mark and reign of Yongzheng 雍正 (1723-1735)

    CB-CC-1933-335

  2. Spittoon with pale bluish-green celadon glaze 青釉唾壺

    Mark and reign of Yongzheng 雍正 (1723-1735)

    CB-CC-1931-369

  3. Clair-de-lune glazed vase with dragon-shaped handles 天藍釉雙龍耳瓶

    Mark and reign of Qianlong 乾隆 (1736-1795)

    CB-CC-1933-370

  4. White yuhuchun-shaped bottle with relief slip design 白釉玉壺春瓶

    Reign of Kangxi 康熙 (1662-1722) or Yongzheng 雍正 (1723-1735)

    CB-CC-1936-410

    The name of this pear-shaped vase with a narrow neck is derived from that of an ancient alcoholic drink, yuhuchun 玉壺春.

  5. White bowl with incised design 白釉刻花紋碗

    Mark and reign of Kangxi 康熙 (1662-1722)

    CB-CC-1933-408

    White vessels with dragon designs of this type were probably used at court at times of mourning.

  6. White brush washer with carved lotus design 白釉刻花蓮紋筆洗

    Mark of Jiajing 嘉靖 (1522-1566), probably reign of Kangxi 康熙 (1662-1722)

    CB-CC-1930-414

  7. Bottle with incised dragon 白釉刻花龍紋瓶

    Mark and reign of Yongzheng 雍正 (1723-1735)

    CB-CC-1930-413

  8. Archaistic vase imitating Song Guan ware 仿官窯管耳瓶

    Mark and reign of Qianlong 乾隆 (1736-1795)

    CB-CC-1930-343

    This octagonal pear-shaped vase imitates “official” Guan kiln objects made under the Song 宋代 (960-1279).

  9. “Soft paste” porcelain vase 軟質瓷瓶

    Mark and reign of Qianlong 乾隆 (1736-1795)

    CB-CC-1929-422

  10. Bowl imitating Song qingbai ware 仿青白碗

    Probably Republic (1912-1949)

    CB-CC-1934-406

  11. Pale celadon bottle 青色釉棒錘瓶

    Mark and reign of Yongzheng 雍正 (1723-1735)

    CB-CC-1936-361

    This distinctive shape resembles that of a mallet used for beating silk (Japanese: kinuta 碪).

  12. “Soft paste” porcelain vase 軟質瓷瓶

    Mark and reign of Yongzheng 雍正 (1723-1735)

    CB-CC-1939-421

    In a letter dated 1722, Père d’Entrecolles (1664-1741) describes a so-called “soft paste” porcelain, which was probably used in the same way as on the present example.