Bowl

Art Historical Context

This elegant 18th-century Chinese porcelain, measuring 6 3/8 inches in, exemplifies the masterful ceramic traditions of the Qing dynasty. Produced likely in Jingdezhen, China's renowned porcelain capital, it features the striking Sang de Boeuf—a flambé effect prized for its deep, oxblood-red hue that mimics the color of boiled ox blood. The glaze's crimson tones, often accented by subtle crackling and flashes of lighter shades, result from complex high-temperature firing techniques in wood-fired kilns, where copper oxide created unpredictable yet mesmerizing flows. Artistically, Sang de Boeuf represented the pinnacle of imperial porcelain innovation, symbolizing luxury and refinement for elite collectors. Its rarity stemmed from the glaze's finicky nature; only a fraction of pieces emerged flawless from the kiln. This bowl, part of the Robert Lehman Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (acquired in 1975), highlights the global allure of Chinese export ceramics, which captivated European connoisseurs during the 18th century and influenced Western design. Today, it invites visitors to appreciate the fusion of artistry and alchemy in Chinese ceramics, a testament to centuries-old craftsmanship that turned humble clay into treasures of enduring beauty.

About the Artist

Chinese

The artist known simply as "Chinese" in museum records represents the vast tradition of anonymous or unattributed masters in Chinese art history, with 99 works preserved in our collection. These pieces exemplify the enduring legacy of guó huà, or traditional Chinese painting, one of the world's oldest continuous artistic practices. Early life is not well documented, as is common for many practitio...