Mallet-shaped Vase with Mirror-Black Glaze
Artist/Culture
Chinese
, Jingdezhen, in Jiangxi province
DateKangxi period (1662–1722) of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Mediumporcelain with an exterior glaze tinted with iron, manganese and cobalt, and an interior clear lime-alkali glaze
Dimensions45.7 cm (18 in.)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Terms
Object number1916.3
DescriptionClub shaped vase. Mirror black glaze, interior and the foot white glaze. The eveness of the deep black glaze distinguishes this vase beyond other of its class. Formerly in Morgan Porcelain Collection. 7/18/51 J. Plumer: Intrigued by Duveen and Morgan tie-up. Mentioned Morgan had done much to lead American taste in Chinese ceramics in the wrong direction. This type of piece a common thing in China. But this is better of its kind than the Morgan sang-de-boeuf.Label TextFirst produced at the imperial kilns in Jingdezhen during the Kangxi era, the high-fired, lustrous, mirror black glaze was colored with a combination of mainly iron, manganese and cobalt oxides. “Mirror black” is a western term. The Chinese call the glaze wujin (“black bronze”) after its main ingredient, the local black bronze earth (wujintu) that has an iron content of 13.4 percent. Wares with mirror-black ground were often decorated with painted gilt or white designs. However, because of the fugitive nature of such decoration, it often disappeared. No traces are visible on this vase.ProvenanceDuveen Brothers, New York
On View
On view
Chinese
early 15th century, Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
Chinese
Kangxi period (1662–1722) of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
South China
Qianlong period (1736–1795) of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Chinese
Qianlong period (1736–1795) of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
