Bottle vase

Art Historical Context

This elegant bottle vase, crafted in the 18th century during China's Qing dynasty (16441911), exemplifies the porcelain production of Jingdezhen, the premier center for imperial ceramics. Standing at 7 inches tall with a 4¼-inch diameter, its slender form—reminiscent of a bottle shape—was ideal for displaying flowers or as a decorative accent in scholarly studios or elite homes. The rich copper red glaze, a hallmark of Qing artistry, shimmers with a deep, oxblood hue achieved through precise firing techniques using copper oxide. Jingdezhen kilns, under imperial patronage, perfected this challenging glaze during the 18th century, when potters vied to replicate the translucent reds favored by emperors like Kangxi and Qianlong. The process demanded exact temperatures to avoid muddy greens or dull blacks, making successful pieces rare and highly prized. This vase reflects the dynasty's opulent aesthetic, blending technical innovation with subtle elegance. Now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art Department through the 1913 bequest of collector Benjamin Altman, it invites visitors to appreciate the enduring legacy of Chinese porcelain—symbols of refinement that influenced global tastes for centuries.