Mallet-shaped Vase with Scene of an Archery Contest

Artist Chinese , Jingdezhen, in Jiangxi province

DateEarly Kagxi period (1662–1722) of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911)

Mediumporcelain with famille verte enamel decoration over transparent glaze

Dimensions45.5 x 21.0 cm

ClassificationsCeramics

Credit LineBequest of Grenville H. Norcross

Terms

ceramic

Object number1937.145

DescriptionPorcelain with enamel decoration. White ground with group of figures in a landscape has a Norcross label. Mended by Mr. deB. Mar. 1954
Label TextIn the West, this Kangxi period vase would be described as exhibiting the famille verte (“green family”) palette of enamels; the Chinese call this palette yingcai (“hard colors”). Famille verte enamels are brightly colored and mostly translucent, and they include several distinctive shades of green as well as yellow, brown, iron-red, blue, black and white (clear enamel over the plain porcelain surface). Polychrome enamels were applied within black (ironmanganese- cobalt) and iron-red outlines, as well as over black modeling strokes and details. This vase can be dated to the early Kangxi period when it was fashionable to decorate porcelain with scenes from historical novels. In this case the scene may illustrate the archery contest scene in the Romance of Three Kingdoms written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century. The experimental grayish-blue enamel, which in areas failed to adhere to the underlying clear glaze (see white spots within bluish areas), also suggests the early Kangxi date. Although China was already famous for its widely traded blue-and-white ware using underglaze cobalt blue, a dependable overglaze blue enamel was very difficult to achieve and was not perfected until the 1720s.ProvenanceUnknown

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