Wine Cup with Applied Plum Blossom Decor (Dehua ware)
Artist
Chinese
, Fujian province
Date16th or 17th century, late Ming (1368–1644) or early Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Mediumporcelain with applied biscuit relief decoration and a translucent ivory-toned alkali-lime glaze
Dimensions6.0 x 9.5 cm
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Object number1954.110
DescriptionWhite applied design of plum and magnolia blossoms.Label TextWhiteware made of exceptionally pure petuntse and covered with white slip glazes began to be manufactured in the mountainous Dehua area of Fujian province in the 10th century. Dehua tableware, tea pots and figurines were widely exported and found their way to Europe during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). Favored by European aristocrats and wealthy merchants, Dehua ware became known by the French term blanc de Chine (literally “white of China”). The clay used to make Dehua ware consisted of locally mined high-silica and high-potassium petuntse. This clay differed from the more plastic clay made of both petuntse and kaolin used at Jingdezhen, which could easily be shaped on the potter’s wheel. As exemplified by this wine cup, the less plastic Dehua clay was best suited for small vessels and for the use of molding and carving techniques. The white slip-glazes used to cover Dehua ware consisted of the local petuntse and a mixture of lime and potash (glaze ash). As the white clay body and the glaze were fired, they fused, giving the illusion of a single white and translucent material. During the Ming dynasty Dehua pieces (which hardly contained any traces of iron impurities) were generally high-fired in oxidation, creating warmer white tones. Both oxidizing and reducing techniques were used during the Qing dynasty, the latter technique creating colder whites. After 1750, the glazes tend to be a uniform cold pearly white. This early wine cup is shaped to resemble a cup made of rhinoceros horn, a rare, costly material believed by the Chinese to promote health and longevity. Its plum blossoms, symbolizing renewed vitality, are an applied motif that was very popular during the late Ming and early Qing periods.ProvenanceWilder D. Bancroft, Ithaca, NY
On View
On view
Chinese
1675–1725, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Chinese
17th century, late Ming (1368–1644) or early Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Chinese
Kangxi Period (1662–1722) of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Chinese
Kangxi period (1662–1722) of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911)