Page 180 - Decorative Arts, Part II: Far Eastern Ceramics and Paintings, Persian and Indian Rugs and Carpets

1942.9-613 (C-464)
Vase in the Shape of
an Archaic Bronze Fang Hu

Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722)
Porcelain with famillejaune enamels on the biscuit,
13
50.8 x 19.8 x 17.8 (20 x 7 /6 x 7)
Widener Collection

TECHNICAL NOTES
There are fabric impressions on the inner walls and on the base,
which is squarely trimmed. The base is flat and unglazed. There
are several firing cracks on the interior of the neck, and a drilled
hole in the base. One corner of the foot has chipped off.

PROVENANCE
Sir William Bennett [1852-1931]. (Gorer, London); sold 1910
to Peter A. B. Widener, Lynnewood Hall, 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 SHAPE OF THIS VASE is based on an ancient bronze
Tvessel of the late Zhou and early Han dynasties
1
(fourth to second centuries B.C.). The decoration begins
at the top with a green band of hatched chevrons bound-
ed by aubergine lines. There are some traces of gold lines
over the aubergine enamel. Four rectangular panels on
the neck are decorated with rocks, flowers, insects, and
trees. Below these is a second horizontal band of
chevrons. The main body differs slightly from the upper
panels in that two panels of the body have pale green
(famille verte) grounds instead of the yellow (famille
jaune) grounds found elsewhere. Here the decoration
comprises peonies with rocks, lotus in a pond, plum
blossoms with rocks, and chrysanthemums. The lower-
most panels are painted with combinations of rocks and
flowers. The edges of the vase have white vertical bands
bordering each of the enameled panels. Aubergine lines
separate the panels horizontally. On two sides (those
with peonies and chrysanthemums) the dark green
enamel has run downward.
SL

NOTES
i. See Loehr 1968, nos. 69-71.

REFERENCES
1910 Gorer: 34-35, no. 97, endpiece.
1911 Gorer and Blacker: i: pi. 34.
1947 Christensen: 9,11.

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