<em>Shang Vase</em>, 1736-1795. Porcelain with cobalt underglaze decoration, 14 1/4 x 8 7/8 in. (36.2 x 22.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the executors of the Estate of Colonel Michael Friedsam, 32.1032.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 32.1032.2_bw.jpg)

Shang Vase

Medium: Porcelain with cobalt underglaze decoration

Geograhical Locations:

Dates:1736-1795

Dimensions: 14 1/4 x 8 7/8 in. (36.2 x 22.5 cm)

Collections:

Accession Number: 32.1032.2

Image: 32.1032.2_bw.jpg,

Catalogue Description:
Curved mouth that flares out; long neck; oval body; slightly flaring circular foot. Cobalt-blue underglaze design, consisting of ocean wave patterns, similar to ruyi, banana leaf pattern, fret-scroll (huiwen), interlocking lotus flowers. Lotus flowers mean "qingbai lianjie," or "pure and honest." 6-character inscription: "Made during the Qianlong reign of the Great Qing." Unglazed base of foot-ring. Clear glaze covers rest of vase. Object for bestowing reward. Condition: Intact. Old Accession Card for 32.1032: Large bottle shaped vases with spreading feet of medium height, globular bodies with three raised ridges, a double one on the lower part of the shoulder, a single one in the middle of the shoulder, and another one at the base of the neck, and a tall neck, broad at the base, then tapering inwards and finally swelling again somewhat at the mouth. White glazed porcelain decorated on the foot with a leaf scroll border, just above that on the body with a border of false gadroons, then a broad band of peonies and leaf scrolls, and above that, between the raised ridges, ju i [ruyi] heads and more peonies and leaf scrolls. At the base of the neck is a fret border, with tall stiff leaves above. Beneath the mouth rim is a second ju i head border and a broad wave pattern. All these designs are painted in a dark rather dull underglaze blue, rather mottled and speckled. The inside and the base are glazed white, and on the base is a six character Ch'ien Lung [Qianlong] seal mark in a rather misty underglaze blue.

Brooklyn Museum