Collection
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Asian Art

Vase with Arabic Inscriptions

1736–1795

1 of 2

Object Label

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.

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.

Collection

Asian Art

Title

Vase with Arabic Inscriptions

Date

1736–1795

Dynasty

Qing Dynasty

Period

Qianlong Period

Geography

Place made: China

Medium

Glass

Classification

Vessel

Dimensions

10 1/4 x 5 3/8 in. (26 x 13.7 cm)

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

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

Credit Line

Anonymous gift

Accession Number

47.219.22

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