Page 114 - Decorative Arts, Part II: Far Eastern Ceramics and Paintings, Persian and Indian Rugs and Carpets

1942.9-484 (C-337)> 1942.9-488-489 (0-341-342)

Brush Washers

Qing dynasty, Kangxi mark and period (1662-1722)
Porcelain with pale blue glaze,
3
1942.9.484: 4.8 x 12.1 (1% x 4 /4)
5
1942.9.488: 4.2 x 11.8 (1% x 4 /s)
5
5
1942.9.489: 4.2 x 11.7 (i /s x 4 /s)
Widener Collection
INSCRIPTIONS
Inscribed in standard script on the base of each vessel in
underglaze blue in three vertical lines of two characters each:
Da Qing Kangxi nian zhi [made in the Kangxi reign of the great
Qing dynasty]

TECHNICAL NOTES
1942.9.484: The pale blue glaze covering the interior and exterior
has some pinholes and bubbles, a noticeable dark spot in the
interior, and a small pit on the lower third of the exterior. A few
black specks can be found in the colorless glaze on the base.
Along the incurved rim of the mouth the glaze thins to become
almost transparent, revealing the fine white body; above the foot
the glaze ends in a somewhat irregular line. 1942.9.488:
Numerous chips dot the inner rim of the mouth, one extending
over the edge onto the exterior wall, revealing the pure white
body. Where not chipped, the edge is glazed and smooth.
Occasional dark specks appear in the glaze, and some scattered
pinholes in the interior. The glaze ends in a regular line just
above the foot, which shows a more refined paste than that of
1942.9.484.1942.9.489: The interior edge of the rim is white bis-
cuit, devoid of glaze. On the outer edge of the rim the glaze dark- (left to right) 1942.9.488,1942.9.484,1942.9.489
ens to form a slight halo encircling the mouth. A few dark spots
and pinholes are scattered on both the interior and exterior, as
well as a slight eruption in the interior. The very pale glaze ends
neatly above the especially smooth unglazed surface of the foot.

PROVENANCE
Thomas B. Clarke [1848-1931], New York; sold 1913! to Peter A. B.
Widener, Lynnewood Hall, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania; inheri-
tance from Estate of Peter A. B. Widener by gift through power of
appointment of Joseph E. Widener, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania.

MONG THE SMALL ELEGANT OBJECTS intended for the Collections with pale blue brush washers of this type
Ascholar's table, produced with both pale blue and include the Percival David Foundation, London; the
peachbloom glazes during the Qing dynasty, are brush Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; the Yale
washers, water pots, and amphora vases. The shallow University Art Gallery, New Haven; the Palace Museum,
bowls with wide incurving mouths, often called tangluo Beijing; and the National Palace Museum, Taipei. 4
xi (gong-shaped washers), are more common than the 1942.9.484 is slightly larger than the other two examples of
other forms, though fewer examples appear to survive in this type, and its color is more pronounced. Since this
pale blue than in peachbloom. 2 stronger blue often appears on pieces bearing the reign-
Unlike the peachbloom washers, whose interiors are mark of the succeeding emperor, Yongzheng (1723-1735),
white (covered with a colorless glaze), the interiors of this brush washer may have been made late in the Kangxi
5
the pale blue examples are glazed in blue. Like many reign. In any case, small variations in size and glaze color
peachbloom examples, all three pale blue brush washers are common among many published examples. Probably
in the National Gallery collection once had carved the closest parallels to this piece are two washers in the
ornamental covers. 3 Baur collection, Geneva. 6

98 D E C O R A T I V E A R T S