Page 74 - Decorative Arts, Part II: Far Eastern Ceramics and Paintings, Persian and Indian Rugs and Carpets

1942.9-506-510 (C-359-363),
1942.9.523-524 (C-376-377)>
1942.9.531 (C-384)
Covered Boxes for Seal Paste

Qing dynasty, Kangxi mark and period (1662-1722)
Porcelain with peachbloom glaze,
1942.9.506: 3.5 X 7.2 (l /8 X 2%)
3
1942.9.507: 3.8 X 7.2 (lV2 X 2%)
l
1942.9.5O8: 3.8 X 7.2 (l /2 X 2%)
1942.9.509: 3.8 X 7.2 (lV2 X 2%)
l
1942.9.510: 3.8 X 7.2 (l /2 X 2%)
J
1942.9.523: 3.8 X 7.2 (l /2 X 2%)
1942.9.524: 3.7 X 7.2 (l7/i6 X 2%)
1942.9.531: 3.7 X 7.2 (l7/i6 X 2%)
Widener Collection

INSCRIPTIONS
2
Inscribed in standard script on the base of each vessel in under- New York); sold 1915 to Peter A. B. Widener, Lynnewood Hall,
glaze blue in three vertical columns of two characters each: Da Elkins Park, Pennsylvania; inheritance from Estate of Peter A. B.
Qing Kangxi nian zhi [made in the Kangxi reign of the great Widener by gift through power of appointment of Joseph E.
Qing dynasty] Widener, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. 1942.9.523: Thomas B.
Clarke [1848-1931], New York; sold 1913 to Peter A. B. Widener,
TECHNICAL NOTES Lynnewood Hall, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania; inheritance from
1942.9.506: The pinholes created by breaking bubbles are very Estate of Peter A. B. Widener by gift through power of appoint-
fine, giving the glaze a texture like that of citrus skin. ment of Joseph E. Widener, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania.
This example has no vermilion seal paste residue on 1942.9.524 and 1942.9.531: Richard Bennett, Northampton,
the biscuit. England, sold 1911 to (Gorer, London). (Dreicer & Co., New
1942.9.507: There are a few pinholes in the interior glaze. York, agents of Gorer, London); sold 1913 to Peter A. B. Widener,
1942.9.508: There is seal paste residue on the closing surfaces of Lynnewood Hall, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania; inheritance from
cover and receptacle. Estate of Peter A. B. Widener by gift through power of appoint-
1942.9.509: Residue of vermilion seal paste adheres to the biscuit ment of Joseph E. Widener, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania.
area of closure. A hairline crack on the closing edge
of the lower part of the box is filled with red pigment; EXHIBITED
it may be an old crack that developed while the piece 1942.9.506-510: On display, Metropolitan Museum of Art,
was in use. The cobalt blue of the closely spaced New York, c. 1910—1911.
characters of the mark is clear and strong.
1942.9.510: Residue of vermilion seal paste adheres to the biscuit HIS IS ANOTHER OF THE EIGHT PEACHBLOOM shapes
of the contacting surfaces of top and bottom. Ttraditional for the scholar's desk. 3 Like the brush
Abrasions and scratches are evident on the glaze of
the cover. Inside the top are two small firing cracks. washers, this shape is found in many English and
The underglaze cobalt blue of the mark is dark, and American peachbloom collections. The form and size
the characters are widely spaced. are remarkably uniform in all examples. The eight in the
1942.9.523: The lower half has a sharp inclusion in the glaze. National Gallery collection, for example, have nearly
1942.9.524: The inside of the cover has smudges of vermilion identical dimensions. Small, low, and rounded, with a
seal paste. slightly flattened top, the boxes have covers and recepta-
1942.9.531: Vermilion seal paste residue is evident inside on cles of almost equal size. The lower part, which held the
closing surfaces. The cobalt blue of the mark is dark, vermilion red paste used for seals, has an inner flange,
the characters neatly written and closely spaced. inset and unglazed to ensure the secure fit of the cover.
The smoothness of the white porcelain showing on the
PROVENANCE
1942.9.506,1942.9.507,1942.9.509: Marsden J. Perry, Providence. cleanly trimmed, low narrow foot is typical of the refine-
5
J. Pierpont Morgan [1837-1913], New York (Duveen Brothers, ment of this ware. The base is slightly recessed and con-
New York); sold 1915* to Peter A. B. Widener, Lynnewood Hall, cave. On each of these boxes, the peachbloom glaze stops
Elkins Park, Pennsylvania; inheritance from Estate of Peter A. B. at the closing edge of the cover and at the foot. A color-
Widener by gift through power of appointment of Joseph E. less glaze is used on the inside and the base.
Widener, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. 1942.9.508, 1942.9.510: J. Among a group of boxes of superior quality and con-
Pierpont Morgan [1837-1913], New York. (Duveen Brothers, dition, such as these eight, the principal variable is the

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