Collections: Asian Art: Bowl and Cover

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Bowl and Cover

This bowl and cover are an example of the translucent and delicate Chinese porcelain known as linlong. Yet the decoration of linglong ware, which dates to the Qianlong era (1736—1795), is believed to have been inspired by that of Iranian "Gombroon" ware, since no such objects were produced in China until the reign of Qianlong. The fragile, lace-like porcelain—known as the "rice- grain porcelain of China"—was produced by piercing rice grain–sized holes into the body of the vessel while the clay was still soft, filling the holes with a clear glaze, and then firing the object to create a translucent pattern.

This object exemplifies techniques developed by diverse Silk Route cultures to reproduce at home products and craftsmanship made familiar through travel and trade.

• Medium: "Linglong" (exquisite) porcelain with glaze
• Place Made: Jiangxi, China
• Dates: 1736-1795
• Dynasty: Qing Dynasty
• Markings: The bases of both bowl and cover have six character Qianlong seal marks written in underglaze blue.
• Collections: Asian Art
• Museum Location: This item is on view in Special Exhibitions Gallery, 2nd Floor
• Accession Number: 32.1178a-b
• Credit Line: Gift of the executors of the estate of Colonel Michael Friedsam
• Image: Overall, 32.1178a-b_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
Bowl and Cover, 1736-1795. "Linglong" (exquisite) porcelain with glaze Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the executors of the estate of Colonel Michael Friedsam, 32.1178a-b (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 32.1178a-b_bw.jpg)
• Catalogue Description: Everted mouth; tapering body; circular foot. Includes knobbed cover. Bowl's body and surface of cover are carved with floral sprigs. Upper section of knob and lower section of circular foot are unglazed. Clear glaze covers entire vessel. Tea ware. Condition: Intact