Page 127 - Decorative Arts, Part II: Far Eastern Ceramics and Paintings, Persian and Indian Rugs and Carpets

1942.9-543 (C-396)
Vase

Qing dynasty, early eighteenth century
3
Porcelain with apple-green glaze, 15.7 x 8.9 (6 /i6 x $¥2)
Widener Collection
TECHNICAL NOTES
There is a errant nub of clay fired onto the upper shoulder.
Numerous small pinholes impart an appearance like that of
orange peel to the vessel's surface. The underlying glaze, which
can be observed inside the vessel and on the base, is a light bluish
gray. Its fine-meshed crackle is punctuated by a few very wide
and long lines underneath the pale green enamel, creating an
effect rather like cracked ice. The slightly darker color of the
crackle, especially on the base, indicates that a small amount of
stain may have been applied to the vessel before its second firing.
The underlying glaze ends fairly neatly above the foot; in some
places a little enamel runs over onto the unglazed light brown
area encompassing the foot-ring and in others it does not cover
the glaze. The paste is particularly smooth and refined.
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.

NE OF THE MOST APPEALING ASPECTS of this Unusual
Ospecimen is its color; its bluish tinge distinguishes it
both from the other apple-green specimens and from the
pale green of the celadon wares. The graceful form of this
high-shouldered ovoid vase is reminiscent of a blue
glazed vase in the Percival David Foundation, London,
1
probably from the Kangxi era. It does not appear to be a
common form among apple-green wares. However, a
rather close parallel, also likely from the Kangxi period,
is in a private collection in Germany. It differs in being
slightly shorter and having a more globular shoulder, as
well as in having an unglazed, brown slip-washed base. 2
VB

NOTES
1. Sekai tdji zenshu 1975-1985,15: 36-37, pi. 30.
2. Hempel 1974,113, no. 170, repro.

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