Page 109 - Decorative Arts, Part II: Far Eastern Ceramics and Paintings, Persian and Indian Rugs and Carpets

1942.9-481-482 (C-334-335), 1942.9.490-491 (C-343-344)
Water Pots

Qing dynasty, Kangxi mark and period (1662-1722)
Porcelain with pale blue glaze,
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1942.9.481: 7.4 x 10.4 (2% x 4 /s)
1942.9.482: 7.4 x 10.4 (2% x 4 MO
1942.9.490: 7.3 x 10.5 (2% x 4V6)
1942.9.491: 7.1 x 10.4 (2% x 4Vs)
Widener Collection

INSCRIPTIONS
Inscribed in standard script on the base of each vessel in under- small globular vessels have a high, rounded shoulder that
glaze blue in three vertical columns of two characters each: Da descends into a sunken channel encircling the short
Qing Kangxi nian zhi [made in the Kangxi reign of the great neck. The neck terminates in a slightly thickened lip. Pale
Qing dynasty] blue water pots very similar to these four are found in
several collections including those of the Metropolitan
TECHNICAL NOTES Museum of Art, New York, the Yale University Art
1942.9.481: The pale blue glaze ends just above the unglazed foot, Gallery, New Haven, and the Baur Collection, Geneva. 3
which is unusually narrow. A small patch of dull glaze occurs
midway down the vessel. A few dark spots appear on the thick- Pale blue glaze appears to have been more broadly
ened mouth rim, one side of which is slightly rough; some pin- used during the Kangxi and Yongzheng reigns than
holes in the glaze are visible on the vessel's upper shoulder. On peachbloom and was applied to a wide variety of vase
the shallow concave base the clear glaze over the reignmark is shapes rather than to only eight types. Nevertheless, cer-
marred by a dark line, a firing flaw, intersecting the kang charac- tain forms are found in both glazes, 4 among them the
ter. Small amounts of dirt and kiln debris adhere to the interior. gong-shaped brush washer, the "amphora" vase, and the
1942.9.482: The glaze shows a few dark spots scattered on the lip water pot.
and lower body, a rust-colored spot in the channel at the neck, Small globular water pots can be subdivided into those
and pinholes on the shoulder. The glaze is thinner on top of the with and without necks. While peachbloom examples
lip, creating a beige tonality. The unglazed foot is somewhat have been published in both types, among the pale blue
rounded. An accidental added splash of blue pigment appears wares the short-necked form is predominant. 5 It has
next to the reignmark under the colorless glaze on the base.
1942.9.490: The glaze is uneven, ranging in color from very become customary to describe the small neckless water
light to a darker blue; near the base on one side a rough white pots as pingguo zun, apple-shaped vessels, and to consider
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spot protrudes through the glaze. Some crazing of the glaze the short-necked form as a variant. It seems possible,
has occurred at the mouth. There is a small chip on the however, that this "variant" might have been classified by
tmglazed foot. the Chinese as a separate type with its own name, at least
1942.9.491: Slight crazing of the glaze has occurred near the in the nineteenth century. In 1899 Bushell wrote:
mouth. There is a crack and a small yellowish spot on one side two favorite designs, for example, of the little
of the lip. Some kiln debris adheres to the interior. water-bottles intended to be used with the
writer's pallet [sic] are the p'ing-kuo tsun [ping-
PROVENANCE guo zun] or apple jar, which is molded as an
1942.9.481,1942.9.482: Thomas B. Clarke [1848-1931], New York; exact facsimile in size and shape of the fruit,
sold 1913 to Peter A. B. Widener, Lynnewood Hall, Elkins Park,
Pennsylvania; inheritance from Estate of Peter A. B. Widener by and its fellow, the shih-Hu tsun [shiliu zun] or
gift through power of appointment of Joseph E. Widener, Elkins pomegranate jar. I have seen these two shapes
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Park, Pennsylvania. 1942.9.490, 1942.9.491: Richard Bennett, only in China.
Northampton, England, sold 1911 to (Gorer, London); (Dreicer & The water pots with short necks do resemble pome-
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Co., New York, agents of Gorer, London); sold 1913 to Peter A. B. granates more than apples, although they lack the foliated
Widener, Lynnewood Hall, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania; inheri- lip found on the globular pots usually described as
tance from Estate of Peter A. B. Widener by gift through power of pomegranate-shaped. 8
appointment of Joseph E. Widener, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. 1942.9.481 and 482, acquired as a pair, are reasonably
well matched in size and color, although the former has a
ATER POTS, SOMETIMES CALLED water coupes, were shallower base while the latter has a wider, more rounded
Wdesigned as ornamental and functional forms for unglazed foot and exposed paste that is smoother to the
the Chinese scholar's desk. They contained water for use touch. Also, the reignmark of 1942.9.481 is executed in the
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in making ink or replenishing the brush washer. These most typical medium blue, while that of 1942.9.482 is

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