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Dragon Desk Vase with Celadon Glaze
(China )
Low-relief dragons rise from the sea on the lower part of this vase, which was made for use in the imperial palace. This vase imitates wares of the Song dynasty. Miniature vases of this size, about the size of one's palm, belonged on a writing table. Scholars started to decorate their desks with refined small vases as a result of the more popular usage of larger desks and the pursuit for beauty.
The jade-like color glaze and the simple design of the patterns reflect the elegance and inwardness of the Song dynasty aesthetic. The shape of the vase, with wide shoulder, narrow foot and three rings encircling the bottom of the neck identifies it as a "Laifu ping" or a "Luobo ping", which both mean "Turnip vase".
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.
Yamanaka Sale, American Art Association, January 30, 1914; acquired by Henry Walters, Baltimore; by bequest to Walters Art Museum, 1931.
Geographies
China (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 7 11/16 in. (19.5 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters, 1914
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
49.1342