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Vase with Arabic Inscriptions

Asian Art

On View: Asian Galleries, West, 2nd floor (China)
Incised on the body of this vase is a medallion bearing an Arabic inscription with the three Names of God in Islam: Insha’allah (Will of God), Ghudratallah (Power of God), and Ni’mat-allah (Grace of God). Incised on the base of the vase is the mark of the Qianlong emperor. It is thought that this vase was made in the imperial workshops in Beijing for use by Muslims living in the city. Palace workshops for European-style glass were established in 1696 by the Kangxi emperor, the grandfather of the Qianlong emperor, under the supervision of French and German Jesuits who were at the Qing court trying to convert the Chinese to Catholicism. Although the Jesuits’ proselytizing was prohibited by the Qianlong emperor, they continued to be important in introducing European technology to China.
MEDIUM Glass
  • Place Made: China
  • DATES 1736–1795
    DYNASTY Qing Dynasty
    PERIOD Qianlong Period
    DIMENSIONS 10 1/4 x 5 3/8 in. (26 x 13.7 cm)  (show scale)
    MARKINGS Round, white label on base with red type reads "184" Square, white, lined label on base in pencil reads: "2733" or "273.3" with other characters
    INSCRIPTIONS Arabic inscriptions: Three of the Names of God: Insha'allah -- Will of God Ghudrat-allah -- Power of God (omnipotent) Ni'mat-allah -- Grace of God. Translated by: Maryam Ekhtiar Underneath foot: incised and gilded, a four-character mark "Qianlong nian zhi" (Qianlong period made) Written in white on base: 1722 Written in red on base: 47.219.22
    COLLECTIONS Asian Art
    ACCESSION NUMBER 47.219.22
    CREDIT LINE Anonymous gift
    PROVENANCE Prior to 1947, provenance not yet documented; by 1947, acquired by an anonymous collector; 1947, gift of an anonymous collector to the Brooklyn Museum.
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    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Vase: bottle shape, with tall neck and flaring lip; on the body are three medallions bearing Arabic inscriptions, cut in sunk relief and picked out with gilding; color: sapphire blue. Inscription: (underneath foot) incised and gilded, a four-character mark "Qianlong nian zhi)" (Qianlong period made) Condition: good with no obvious flaws.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Asian Galleries, West, 2nd floor (China)
    CAPTION Vase with Arabic Inscriptions, 1736–1795. Glass, 10 1/4 x 5 3/8 in. (26 x 13.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Anonymous gift, 47.219.22. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 47.219.22_PS11.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 47.219.22_PS11.jpg., 2017
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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     <em>Vase with Arabic Inscriptions</em>, 1736–1795. Glass, 10 1/4 x 5 3/8 in. (26 x 13.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Anonymous gift, 47.219.22. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 47.219.22_PS11.jpg)