Unidentified Artist
Chinese, Qing Dynasty, (1644 – 1911 CE), Kangxi Region (1662 – 1722 CE)
Bottle-Shaped Vase, c1700
Porcelain with Under Glaze Decoration in Cobalt Blue
8 x 4 3/16 in. (20.3 x 10.6 cm)
The Ackland Art Museum, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Gift of Herbert and Eunice Shatzman in Honor of Ruth and Sherman Lee 99.22.1
The prominent blue-cobalt oxide color, involved designs, and flawless glaze date the long-necked-vase to the early Qing Dynasty. Often coated with beautiful orchid flowers that symbolize perfection, abundance, and higher growth, these complex ceramics symbolize the hope for economic stability. Additionally, they demonstrate the dedication the Chinese had towards their culture despite the turbulent economic time. It was not unseen for foreign countries to influence the Chinese ceramics. Because the Europeans were prominent consumers of the delicately glazed and crafted pots, the wave pattern present towards the lower portion of the vase demonstrates the influence the Europeans had upon the production of Chinese ceramics of maritime motifs.
Manuel Badillo