Beaker-shaped vase

Historical period(s)
Qing dynasty, Kangxi reign mark and period, 1662-1722
Medium
Porcelain with clair de lune glaze
Style
Jingdezhen ware
Dimensions
H x Diam: 18.7 × 11.3 cm (7 3/8 × 4 7/16 in)
Geography
China, Jiangxi province, Jingdezhen
Credit Line
Bequest of Libbie Moody Thompson
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1991.13
On View Location
Freer Gallery 13: Looking Out, Looking In: Art in Late Imperial China
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Vessel
Type

Vase

Keywords
China, Jingdezhen ware, Kangxi reign (1662 - 1722), porcelain, Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911), reign mark
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Label

The Chinese describe the cool, blue-tinged white glaze of this beaker as "moon white," which Western collectors translated into French as "clair de lune." The shape of the trumpet-mouthed vessel, including the bulging midsection and the details of the cross marks near the foot, imitates a Chinese bronze vessel called a gu, used as early as the Shang dynasty (ca. 1700-1050 BCE). The pale glaze also reflects antiquarian interests in its reference to some of the subtle monochrome glazes popular during the Song dynasty (960-1279).

Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
SI Usage Statement

Usage Conditions Apply

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery welcome information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

citation | Save this image How to download an image | Request Permission | Terms of Use