Page 77 - Decorative Arts, Part II: Far Eastern Ceramics and Paintings, Persian and Indian Rugs and Carpets

1942.9.511-513 (€-364-366), 1942.9-521-522 (C-374-375)
Petal- decorated Vases

Qing dynasty, Kangxi mark and period (1662-1722)
Porcelain with peachbloom glaze,
3
x
1942.9.511: 21.3 x 8.8 (8 /s x 3 /2)
1942.9.512: 20.9 x 8.9 (8 V4 x 3 Vi)
3
1942.9.513: 20.8 x 8.8 (8 /i6 x 3V2)
3
x
1942.9.521: 21.2 x 8.9 (8 /s x 3 /2)
1942.9.522: 21.3 x 8.9 (8% x 3V2)
Widener Collection
INSCRIPTIONS
Inscribed in standard script on the base of each vase in underglaze need not be so restricted, as, for instance, a seal paste
blue in three vertical columns of two characters each: Da Qing box. This could be one explanation for its popularity
Kangxi nian zhi [made in the Kangxi reign of the great Qing among collectors. The shape is found in many museum
dynasty]. The calligraphy style of 1942.9.51 is excellent, the charac- collections today. 3
ters widely spaced; the calligraphy of 1942.9.512 and 513 is a more The standard type is characterized by an ovoid body, a
closely spaced calligraphy style. The calligraphy and spacing on long tubular neck with slightly everted lip, a well-defined
1942.9.521 and 522 are essentially identical.
foot that is slightly projecting and rounded, and a con-
TECHNICAL NOTES cave base. A formal band of molded petal-shaped forms
1942.9.511: The glaze is rough near the base of the petals, and encircles the lower part of the body. As in all peachbloom
there is a manufacturing flaw on the foot. 1942.9.512: The tech- vessels, color is entirely individual, varying in shade and
nical refinement of this piece is exceptional. 1942.9.513: There is accidental patterning from piece to piece. The contact
roughness in the glaze at the base of the petals that has existed edge of the foot is unglazed, barring the fine white paste.
from the time of manufacture. 1942.9.521: Condition is intact The base, as in other peachbloom types, is covered with
and fine. 1942.9.522: There is a small glaze flaw on the shoulder. colorless glaze. The edge of the lip shows the white
porcelain through colorless glaze, but there is color in the
PROVENANCE glaze lining the neck.
1942.9.511: Richard Bennett, Northampton, England; sold 1913 This is the largest and most thickly walled of the pre-
to (Gorer, London); sold 1914 to Peter A. B. Widener, scribed shapes described by Chait. Within this shape,
Lynnewood Hall, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania; inheritance from
Estate of Peter A. B. Widener by gift through power of appoint- there are slight individual variations of form in the curve
ment of Joseph E. Widener, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. of shoulder and body. The ratio of height of neck to total
1942.9.512: Richard Bennett, Northampton, England; sold 1913 height is roughly half, but the proportion varies. The
to (Gorer, London); (Dreicer & Co., New York, agents of Gorer, width of the petal band also varies slightly in its relation
London); sold 1914 to Peter A. B. Widener, Lynnewood Hall, to the whole. The petals are apparently molded, but there
Elkins Park, Pennsylvania; inheritance from Estate of Peter A. B. are indications of a discreet use of a tool to sharpen the
Widener by gift through power of appointment of Joseph E. impression. In the National Gallery's five examples, the
Widener, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. 1942.9.513: Thomas B. number of petals ranges from twenty-nine to thirty-one.
Clarke [1848-1931], New York; sold (possibly 1907) to Peter A. B. 1942.9.511 has twenty-nine petals in the relief band
Widener, Lynnewood Hall, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania; inheri- around the lower part of the body. The darker values of
tance from Estate of Peter A. B. Widener by gift through power
of appointment of Joseph E. Widener, Elkins Park, red are on the upper part of the vase, and light creamy
Pennsylvania. 1942.9.521 and 1942.9.522: possibly collection of green colors occur both on the upper part of the neck
Lord Kitchener; 1 sold after 1917 to Joseph E. Widener, Elkins and on lower areas of the body, along with spotty, soft
Park, Pennsylvania; inheritance from Estate of Peter A. B. moss-green patches. The inside of the mouth is streaked
Widener by gift through power of appointment of Joseph E. with rose color. The overall velvety red glaze of 1942.9.512
Widener, after purchase by funds of the Estate. is almost perfect in tone and evenness. Where the color
runs thin over the thirty-one molded petals, it is pale,
HE CHINESE NAME FOR THIS SHAPE is hebanping (lotus creamy pink. The lip rim and an edge of the rounded
Tpetal vase). Following another interpretation of the foot are almost white. There is a little light red glaze and
petal forms at the base, it has also been called "chrysan- some green spots inside the mouth. The overall color of
themum vase" by collectors. Although this is one of the 1942.9.513 is lighter than the others of the group, a muted
shapes included in Chart's classification of eight peach- rose shade tending to violet in some areas. The thirty
bloom shapes for the writer's table, 2 the use of a vase petals of the stylized band show still lighter through the

P O R C E L A I N S 6l