Flattened globular flask

Material Information

Title:
Flattened globular flask
Series Title:
Objects of instruction : treasures of SOAS
Added title page title:
Moon flash
Donor:
Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art = 大维德中国艺术基金会
Publication Date:
Materials:
Porcelain ( medium )
Measurements:
29.3 x 23.2 cm in

Notes

Scope and Content:
The elegantly proportioned 'moon flask' features a flattened globular body with a pair of cloud-scroll handles joining the neck and shoulder. The exquisite drawing in soft pink and carmine on white porcelain is representative of the finest examples of famille rose enamelling. Inspired by fan paintings used at the court, one side features peonies and a pair of birds on a branch of pomegranate, the other two long-tailed white-feathered birds on a branch of gardenia blossom, complemented by pink and blue asters and butterflies. Some of the colour technology (such as the rose colour obtained from colloidal gold) was imported from Europe in the late seventeenth century. On the base, the six-character mark of the Yongzheng reign is written in seal script. The best quality famille rose export wares also date from this period. (Text by John T Carpenter and Yoshiko Yasumura, from the exhibition catalogue: Objects of instruction : treasures of the School of Oriental and African Studies, Anna Contadini, Editor. London : SOAS, University of London, 2007.)
Donation:
Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art (PDF 824)
Funding:
The 'Objects of instruction : the treasures of SOAS' exhibition was funded through a generous gift from the Foyle Foundation and with the support of the Arts & Humanities Research Council.
Citation/Reference:
Cited in: Objects of instruction : treasures of the School of Oriental and African Studies, Anna Contadini, Editor. London : SOAS, University of London, 2007. Listed as object number 16.
Acquisition:
This item is now held by the British Museum.

Record Information

Source Institution:
British Museum
Rights Management:
All applicable rights reserved by the source institution and holding location.