Garlic-head Vase with Design of Fruit and Floral Sprays (Blue-and-white ware)
DateYongzheng period (1723–1735) of the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911)
Mediumporcelain with cobalt-blue decoration under clear lime-alkali glaze
Dimensions27.3 cm (10 3/4 in.)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineBequest of Mary Harper Sheperdson
Object number1951.96
DescriptionBottle-shaped vase. Blue on white, with band of fret design at top, on shoulder, flame motif on neck, floral sprays on body. Bottle shape with bowl-like top, moulded foot about 2.5cm high. On bottom a double line circle with six Chinese characters in blue. A pair with 1951.97 (darker blue).Label TextThis elegant porcelain vase, with its gently rounded pear-shaped body and design of fruit and floral sprigs, exemplifies the high-quality blue-and-white ceramics appreciated by Chinese nobles and wealthy merchants during the Yongzheng reign (1723–35). The three fruit branches represent “The Three Abundances” (sanduo), namely citron, pomegranate, and peach, symbolizing a long life of happiness, fertility and abundance. The foot is edged with breaking waves and the base is surrounded by lotus petals. The bulbous mouth with raised rim is encircled by a floral scroll. The upper part of the neck is unadorned, but its lower part and the shoulder of the vase are decorated with panels filled with flame motifs and bands with angular meanders and threelobed pendants. The shape of this garlic-head vase (suantouping) was first rendered in bronze and pottery during the Qin and Han dynasties (221 B.C.–220 A.D.), and revived in ceramics beginning in the Song dynasty (960–1279).ProvenanceMary Harper Sheperdson (Mrs. John William), Worcester, MA
On View
On view
Chinese
early 15th century, Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
Chinese
Kangxi period (1662–1722) of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Chinese
Kangxi Period (1662–1722) of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Chinese
early 16th century
Chinese
Kangxi period (1662–1722) of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Si Satchanalai kilns
14th–mid 16th century
Chinese
late 11th century –early 12th century, Northern Song dynasty (960-1127)
