Collection
/
Asian Art

Porcelain Vase in the Form of an Archaic Bronze

1573–1619

Brooklyn Museum photograph

Object Label

Five-clawed dragons and phoenix birds, symbols of the emperor and empress, adorn this vase.

Caption

Porcelain Vase in the Form of an Archaic Bronze, 1573–1619. Porcelain with cobalt-blue underglaze decoration, 8 1/16 × 4 1/16 in. (20.5 × 10.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, The William E. Hutchins Collection, Bequest of Augustus S. Hutchins, 52.49.20. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Gallery

Not on view

Collection

Asian Art

Title

Porcelain Vase in the Form of an Archaic Bronze

Date

1573–1619

Dynasty

Ming Dynasty

Period

Wanli Period

Geography

Place made: China

Medium

Porcelain with cobalt-blue underglaze decoration

Classification

Vessel

Dimensions

8 1/16 × 4 1/16 in. (20.5 × 10.3 cm)

Credit Line

The William E. Hutchins Collection, Bequest of Augustus S. Hutchins

Accession Number

52.49.20

Frequent Art Questions

  • Can you tell me how this piece was made?

    Chinese blue-and-white porcelain begins with the clay, often a combination of kaolin and petuntse. When the clay is leather-hard, cobalt blue pigment is painted onto the surface. The vessel is then glazed and fired.

  • The blue is so vibrant!

    Cobalt is one of the most popular metals for decorating porcelain because it is one of the few substances that stays stable under the very high temperatures used to fire porcelain.
    Notice how the dragon has five claws. This was an Imperial symbol, and represented the power of the emperor.

Have information?

Have information about an artwork? Contact us at

bkmcollections@brooklynmuseum.org.