Vase

Art Historical Context

This exquisite porcelain vase, crafted in Jingdezhen—the renowned "porcelain capital" of China—dates to the late 18th to 19th century during the Qing dynasty (164–1911). Standing just 6⅜ inches tall with a 3¾-inch diameter, its compact form belies the technical mastery of the era's potters. Jingdezhen kilns produced some of the world's finest ceramics, supplying imperial courts and global markets with translucent white bodies and innovative glazes. The vase's standout features are its copper red glaze and relief slip decoration. The sang de bœuf (oxblood) red, derived from copper oxide, was notoriously challenging to fire evenly, often yielding a dramatic, crackled surface that evokes molten lava. Relief slip—applied clay paste molded into raised designs—adds tactile depth, likely depicting floral or symbolic motifs common in Qing wares, enhancing both aesthetic appeal and cultural symbolism of prosperity and harmony. A highlight of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art collection, this piece entered via the 1913 bequest of collector Benjamin Altman. It embodies Qing porcelain's artistic pinnacle, blending functionality with imperial elegance for scholars, officials, and admirers worldwide.