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Arrow Vase

Chinese (Artist)
1736-1795 (Qing dynasty (1644-1911))
Porcelain with blue-gray iron-oxide glaze
(China )

An arrow vase is a type of vessel used for the drinking game "Touhu". Participants attempt to throw arrows into the multiple tubular cylinders attached on the elongated neck. This decorative vase adapts the shape of the arrow vase but was likely not used for games. Reproduction of early porcelains was popular during the mid-to-late Qing dynasty. Fired during the Qianlong reign, the vase imitates Guan ware of the Song dynasty. Contemporary imperial tastes altered the traditional shapes and styles. For example, the crackled glaze typical in Guan wares does not appear on this Qianlong replica because of the Emperor's insistence on perfection. The bluish grey tone of the glaze results from iron-oxide colorants.

Inscription

Reign mark of the Qianlong emperor

Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.

William T. or Henry Walters Collection, Baltimore; by bequest to Walters Art Museum, 1931.

Exhibitions

2025 Imperial Chinese Treasures from the Walters Collection. 1991-0.
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Geographies

China (Place of Origin)

Measurements

H: 10 11/16 × Diam: 5 5/8 in. (27.1 × 14.3 cm)

Credit Line

Bequest of Henry Walters, 1931

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.

49.252

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Hours

  • Wednesday—Sunday: 10 a.m.—5 p.m.
  • Thursday: 1–8 p.m.
  • Monday—Tuesday: Closed

Location

600 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD
21201

Phone

410-547-9000

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