Page 205 - Decorative Arts, Part II: Far Eastern Ceramics and Paintings, Persian and Indian Rugs and Carpets

1942.9-629 (C-48o) 1942.9.620-623 (€-471-472)

Large Jar Four Rouleau-shaped Vases

Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722) Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722)
Porcelain with famille noire enamels on the biscuit, overall: Porcelain with famille noire enamels on the biscuit,
3
62.8 (24 /4); body: 49.5 (19 V6); lid: 14.6 (5%) 1942.9.620: 60.3 (23%)
5
Widener Collection 1942.9.621: 60.0 (23 /s)
Widener Collection
TECHNICAL NOTES
The body of this large jar is made of two parts, in addition to TECHNICAL NOTES
the lid. The base is concave and unglazed. The interior has a These vases have concave bases, which, with the exception of
transparent glaze. On one side of the main body the green 1942.9.621, are covered with a green-tinted transparent glaze.
enamel has run down during firing, obscuring the design. The The interiors are glazed. On one side of 1942.9.620, the enamel
inside of the lid is glazed except on the flange. A vertical crack pigments have a dull matte surface. There is a chip along the
on the side has been repaired and repainted. outer edge of the foot-ring. On 1942.9.621, the blue glaze is full
of bubbles. The surface is touched up in many spots with paint,
PROVENANCE now discolored. On 1942.9.623 a long hairline crack that begins
Thomas B. Clarke [1848-1931], New York; sold to Peter A. B. at the lip and extends one-third of the way down the side has
Widener, Lynnewood Hall, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania; inheri- been repainted. Some abrasion is visible in the blue enamels.
tance from Estate of Peter A. B. Widener by gift through power
of appointment of Joseph E. Widener, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. PROVENANCE
Sir William Bennett [1852-1931]. (Gorer, London); (Dreicer &
HE MAIN DESIGN ON THE EXTERIOR of this large jar is of Co., New York, agent for Gorer, London); sold 1911 to Peter A. B.
Ta phoenix on a large rock among blossoming Widener, Lynnewood Hall, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania; inheri-
peonies and camellias. It is painted with black, tance from Estate of Peter A. B. Widener by gift through power
aubergine, red, yellow, and three shades of green enamel. of appointment of Joseph E. Widener, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania.
The lid continues the design of flowers and rocks.
Compared to the famille noire baluster vases in the col- HESE FAMILLE NOIRE ROULEAU (roll)-shaped vases are
lection, the painting on this jar is rather crude. There is a Tdecorated with rocks, pheasants, and a variety of
layer of green enamel over the black enamel. flowering plants, including chrysanthemums and mag-
SL nolias. The colors include black, red, turquoise, blue,
metallic gold, and two shades of green. The black enam-
REFERENCES el background is covered with a layer of dark green
enamel, giving the surface a rich, glossy texture. The
1947 Christensen: 12.
necks are bounded by a key-fret band in yellow enamel.
The painting on all four vessels is rather cursory.
The rouleau shape originated with the cylindrical vases
of the transitional period in the seventeenth century,
specifically during the final Ming-dynasty reign of
Chongzhen (1628-1644).* It is believed that the shape was
ultimately derived from the classical meiping (plum blos-
2
som vase) shape. The rouleau vase continued to be pop-
ular through the Kangxi period but is rarely seen in
Chinese porcelains in the later Qing dynasty.
SL

NOTES
1. Little 1983, 68.
2. Little 1983,38.

REFERENCES
1910 Gorer: 34, no. 96, frontispiece.
1911 Gorer and Blacker: i: pi. i.f.

following pages: Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722),
Four Rouleau-shaped Vases, 1942.9.620-623

P O R C E L A I N S 189