Vase (one of a pair)

Currently not on view

Vase (one of a pair)

1662-1722

Artist/maker unknown, Chinese

This vase, one of a pair, is decorated with an idyllic garden scene: pheasants perch on rocks amid flowering peonies and magnolias, while blue jays cavort in the branches above. Along the shoulder are the symbols of the "Four Accomplishments" of the Chinese scholar: a pair of scrolls (painting), bound books (calligraphy), a wrapped qin or lute (music), and a game board and pieces (playing xiangqi, a type of Chinese chess game). The auspicious bees, butterflies, and floral sprays at the neck of the vase complete the picture of an ideal scholar's world.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Vase (one of a pair)

Date:

1662-1722

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Chinese

Medium:

Porcelain with overglaze enamel decoration (Famille verte)

Dimensions:

17 1/8 x 7 1/4 inches (43.5 x 18.4 cm)

Classification:

Containers

Credit Line:

The Alfred and Margaret Caspary Memorial Gift, 1955

Accession Number:

1955-50-366

Geography:

Made in China, Asia

Context:

Dynasty: Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) Period: Kangxi Period (1662-1722)

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Currently not on view