Page 152 - Decorative Arts, Part II: Far Eastern Ceramics and Paintings, Persian and Indian Rugs and Carpets

1942.9-550 (C-403)
Vase

Qing dynasty, probably Yongzheng period (1723-1735)
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Steatitic porcelain with colorless glaze, 32.4 x 19.0 (12% x /2]
Widener Collection
TECHNICAL NOTES
With the exception of the foot-ring, the entire body is covered
by a colorless glaze with the typically uneven surface of steatitic
wares. The foot-ring is narrow and sharply squared off; the
body is dark and appears to be covered with a dark slip. Small
chips on one side of the lip have been repaired and there are two
small hairline cracks around the foot-ring.
PROVENANCE
(Duveen Brothers, New York and London); sold 1914 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.

HIS LARGE VASE IS VERY THINLY POTTED, though the
Tceramic body is completely opaque. The exterior is
decorated with a flying dragon and flaming pearl among
stylized clouds, lightly incised into the body beneath the
glaze. The dragon—which emerges from the ocean in
spring when the bright yang force increases—chases a
pearl, the crystallized essence of the moon, which in con-
trast to the sun symbolizes the aqueous yin element in
nature. The foot is encircled by a classic scroll band,
above which are crashing waves and bubbles of spray.
SL

REFERENCES
1947 Christensen: 29, 39, repro.

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