Pleasingly Pure and Lustrous: Porcelains from the Yongle Reign (1403-1424) of the Ming Dynasty,Period 2017/5/18-,Gallery 203
Pleasingly Pure and Lustrous: Porcelains from the Yongle Reign (1403-1424) of the Ming Dynasty,Period 2017/5/18-,Gallery 203
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Tradition and Imitation

Ming dynasty porcelains of the Yongle and Xuande reigns, with their superb craftsmanship and unique forms, became objects venerated in tradition and imitations by later generations. Porcelain production in the Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong reigns of the Qing dynasty reached dazzling heights, and porcelains in imitation of the Yongle style represented but one facet of this unprecedented period of prosperity. On one hand, these later works consciously emulate the essence of those fired in the previous dynasty, revealing their contemporary side only in the techniques of modeling, thickness of the body and glaze, size, and painting of the decoration. On the other hand, the Qing court also selected vessel types from the past but integrated them with new glaze colors for porcelains. Thus, the dialogue between old and new highlights the influence of Yongle porcelains in later years.

Flask with flowers and birds decoration in underglaze blue, Qing dynasty, Yongzheng reign (1723-1735)

Flask with flowers and birds decoration in underglaze blue

Qing dynasty, Yongzheng reign (1723-1735)

H. 29.9cm
Diam. of mouth 3.7cm
W. of base 13×8.5cm

Flask with flowers and fruits decoration in underglaze blue, Qing dynasty, Yongzheng reign (1723-1735)

Flask with flowers and fruits decoration in underglaze blue

Qing dynasty, Yongzheng reign (1723-1735)

H. 29.3cm
Diam. of mouth 3.7cm
W. of base 12.5×8.6cm