Compound Vase with Six Trumpet-Shaped Necks
Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong reign mark and period (1736–1795)
Medium
Glazed stoneware
Dimensions
24.2 × 18.5 cm (9 1/2 × 7 1/4 in.); Diam.: 18.5 cm (7 1/4 in.)
Classification
vase
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
42242
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The unusual form of this vase is achieved by conjoining five identical long-neck bottles, with their mouths opening up into a shared cavity. Covered in a pale green celadon glaze, the surface of this stoneware vessel evokes that of high-quality Longquan celadon, which reached its pinnacle during the Song Dynasty. On the base of the center bottle, a Qianlong reign mark is inscribed in archaic seal characters. While pieces like this could occasionally serve as flower vases, they were most likely c...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...