|
|
A deep respect for tradition is found within all of Chinese art.
These vessels depict both beauty and function in the types of objects
by which the imperial court and wealthy Chinese individuals surrounded
themselves, whether the material was jade,
porcelain, metal, or stone. Traditional decoration for Chinese vases and vessels incorporated floral
and bird motifs, as well as scenes of human activities. Other decorative
elements include zoomorphic imagery,
or animalistic carvings. Animals were viewed in ancient China as powerful
messengers, and their qualities could be transmitted symbolically. Animal
imagery often decorated vessels that were used for ritual offerings to
the gods and ancestral spirits. The production of monochrome porcelains
in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) included the creation of magnificent glazes,
where decoration is secondary to the shape and the color of the glaze.
Violet overglazes were also introduced into the Chinese decorative repertory
in the early 1700s. Click on any image for an enlarged view |
 |
||
|
From ancient times, jade was the most revered stone in China, believed
to be possessed of magical properties and valued for its beauty and
indestructibility. By the Qing Dynasty, intensive specialization in
the jade workshop made it was possible for an artist to devote an entire
lifetime to the perfection of a single task. Jade is harder than most minerals, and must be abraded rather than carved. After the shape is roughly defined, it is polished with successively finer grits until the desired surface is achieved. Jadeite and nephrite are two different types of jade, also, jade is not always green-hued but is often multi-colored. Examples here attest to the mastery of the Chinese jade carver. |
||
 |
 |
 |
|
Covered bowls - made of nephrite (a type of jade); Ch'ing Dynasty (1644-1911).Gift of Owen and Leone Elliott. This nephrite is valued for its green veins and natural
cloud-like markings. Precise radial incisions rise from a scalloped base
to a fluted rim to form the petals of a chrysanthemum (symbol of autumn
and steadfast friendship). |
Rhyton (libation cup) - made of nephrite; Ch'ing Dynasty. Gift of Owen and Leone Elliott. This cup features lizardlike creatures ("ch'ih"
immature dragons that are special guardians for mortals). The handle at
the base of the cup is formed by the divided head of a phoenix (symbol
of beauty, peace, prosperity, and harmony) and associated with the Empress. |
Bowl - made of nephrite; K'ang-hsi Period Period (1662-1722) of the Ch'ing Dynasty. Gift of Owen and Leone Elliott. The stylized lotus (purity and perfection) was introduced
to China with Buddhism. The arrangement of the blossom's petals suggest
the spokes of a wheel and endless cycles of reincarnation. Intricate flowers
rise on their stems to form handles holding loose rings. |
 |
 |
|
Famille Rose Medallion Temple Vases
- the delicate palette of colors is called "famille rose" because
of the predominant use of rose hues, derived from gold and made opaque
by the addition of tin oxide. The vases are urn shaped with alternating
panel scenes of flowers, birds and groups of people. Two applied gold
handles are in the shape of dogs. Four applied gold lizards are seen on
the upper side around the vase. |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
Lang-yao vase - porcelain
with a peachbloom glaze containing copper oxide; K'ang-hsi Period (1662-1722)
of the Ch'ing Dynasty (1644-1911). Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John Phillips. |
Porcelain vase - with a blue and violet overglaze; Ch'ien-lung Period (1688-1766) of the Ch'ing Dynasty. Bequest of John J. Brady, Jr. In this piece, the translucent crackled glaze has a brilliant
crushed-raspberry hue. |
|
You
are currently exploring "An Ancient
Civilization"
|
|
