Page 172 - Decorative Arts, Part II: Far Eastern Ceramics and Paintings, Persian and Indian Rugs and Carpets

1942.9-607 (C-458)
Baluster Vase

Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722)
Porcelain with famille verte enamels on the biscuit,
3
5
75.2 X 28.3 (29 /8 X 11 /i6)
Widener Collection
INSCRIPTIONS
Inscribed in standard script on the base in underglaze blue in
three vertical columns of two characters each within a double
circle: Da Mingjiajing nian zhi [made in the Jiajing reign of the
great Ming dynasty]

TECHNICAL NOTES
The porcelain paste is grayish white. The base is recessed with-
in a rounded foot-ring and glazed with a thin matte glaze.
There are several cracks across the base, and small associated
losses have been filled and inpainted, including a portion of the
inscription. The rim has been wiped free of glaze; the interior is
completely glazed. A clean break around the base of the neck
has been repaired and carefully overpainted. There is also a
repaired and overpainted crack above the foot-ring. Several
small chips occur in the foot-ring.

PROVENANCE
Richard Bennett, Northampton, England. (Gorer, London);
(Dreicer & Co., New York, agent for Gorer, London); sold 1913
to Peter A. B. Widener, Lynnewood Park, Elkins Park,
Pennsylvania; inheritance from Estate of Peter A. B. Widener by
gift through power of appointment of Joseph E. Widener,
Elkins Park, Pennsylvania.
HE SURFACE OF THIS TALL, brilliantly painted vase is
Toccupied by two powerful dragons that writhe about
the body. Against a pale green ground, the dragons fly
among stylized clouds and flames. One has a yellow body
with an aubergine face, the other an aubergine body with
a yellow face. Both dragons are of the four-clawed vari-
ety. The painting is characterized by finely painted tex-
ture strokes under the thin and well-controlled enamel
wash. An unusual feature is the use of two shades of
aubergine and only one of green.
Such a large vessel of exceptional quality would almost
certainly have been made for an aristocratic patron. The
presence of the Ming-Jiajing reignmark is relatively
unusual on Kangxi ceramics.
SL

REFERENCES
1947 Christensen: 16, figs. 5, 6.
1955-1958 Koyama et al: 176, fig. 17.