China

Room 7

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

Case 33

Song Guan and “Tea dust” Monochrome Glaze Ware 仿官窯與茶葉末釉瓷器

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

The “tea dust” glaze, caused by the chemical reactions of iron and manganese with silica, is thought to have been first invented at the Yaozhou kilns 耀州窯 during the Tang 唐代 (618-907). The imperial Ming 明代 (1368-1644) kilns enjoyed a monopoly of this type of ware, which was to be further developed under the Qing.

  1. Vase with Guan glaze and dragon-shaped handles 仿官窯雙龍耳瓶

    Mark and reign of Qianlong 乾隆 (1736-1795)

    CB-CC-1951-341

  2. Bottle with “tea-dust” glaze and garlic head-shaped mouth 茶葉末釉蒜頭瓶

    Mark and reign of Yongzheng 雍正 (1723-1735)

    CB-CC-1930-391

    The technique used here, which consists of blowing the glaze over the piece, was probably invented towards the end of Yongzheng’s reign.

  3. Bottle with “tea-dust” glaze 茶葉末釉瓶

    Mark and reign of Qianlong 乾隆 (1736-1795)

    CB-CC-1930-393

    The tubular neck encircled by six ribs imitates a stem of bamboo.

  4. Triple-gourd vase with Guan glaze 仿官窯三口葫蘆形瓶

    Mark and reign of Qianlong 乾隆 (1736-1795)

    CB-CC-1930-336

  5. Gui-shaped “tea-dust” incense burner 茶葉末釉簋

    Qing dynasty, late 18th or early 19th c.

    CB-CC-1929-400

  6. “Tea-dust” glazed amphora with dragon handles 茶葉末釉雙龍尊

    Qing dynasty, late 18th or early 19th c.

    CB-CC-1936-396

    This piece with two “s”-shaped dragon handles imitates jars of the Tang dynasty 唐 (618-907).

  7. “Tea-dust” glazed vase 茶葉末釉瓶

    Mark and reign of Qianlong 乾隆 (1736-1795)

    CB-CC-1933-392

  8. “Tea-dust” glazed vase 茶葉末釉雙耳瓶

    Mark and reign of Qianlong 乾隆 (1736-1795)

    CB-CC-1949-394

    This shape is possibly inspired by bronzes of the Shang dynasty 商 (18th-12th c. B.C.).

  9. “Tea-dust” water pot in “beehive” shape 茶葉末釉蜂籠形水盂

    Mark and reign of Qianlong 乾隆 (1736-1795)

    CB-CC-1931-401

  10. Peach-shaped brush washer 仿汝窯桃形筆洗

    Mark and reign of Qianlong 乾隆 (1736-1795)

    CB-CC-1931-339

    The colour and crackle of the glaze and nail-like spur marks are features that suggest this piece was intended to imitate the Ru 汝 style of the Song dynasty 宋代 (960-1279).

  11. Gu beaker-shaped “tea-dust” vase 茶葉末釉觚

    Mark and reign of Qianlong 乾隆 (1736-1795)

    CB-CC-1932-395