Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Vase in the Form of an Ancient Bronze "Gu"
(China )
This vase is in the form of an ancient bronze wine vessel called a "gu" and consists of a white porcelain body painted in underglaze cobalt blue. Six prominent serrated ridges project vertically from the barrel bulge in the center and continue down the sloped sides of the raised foot. The trumpet shaped mouth is fashioned with two handles in the shape of grotesque lion heads, channeled at the mouths for rings. Swirling scrolls of stylized lotus blossoms and spiky leaves are painted on the external surface. A border of crested waves surrounds the foot, a band of vines bearing fruit cover the shoulders, and a framed panel beneath the upper rim is inscribed with the Wanli reign mark.
Inscription
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. Walters [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; inherited by Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1894; by bequest to Walters Art Museum, 1931.
Exhibitions
| 2025 | Imperial Chinese Treasures from the Walters Collection. 1991-0. |
Geographies
China (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 32 1/2 in. (82.6 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by William T. Walters
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.
49.1534