Small wine pot or teapot with a lid

Art Historical Context

This delicate small wine pot or teapot lid, crafted in China during the Kangxi period (16621722) of the Qing dynasty, exemplifies pinnacle of imperial porcelain production at Jingdezhen kilns. Standing just 2¼ inches (5.7 cm) tall without its lid, this petite vessel was likely designed for personal or elite use, perhaps in scholarly tea ceremonies or wine tasting rituals that were central to refined Chinese social life. Made of fine porcelain painted in underglaze blue—a technique where cobalt pigment is applied to the unfired clay body before a transparent glaze is added and the piece is fired at high temperatures—this artwork showcases the era's technical mastery. The vivid blue designs, featuring flowers and human figures, bloom with symbolic elegance: flowers often represent prosperity and seasonal harmony, while figures evoke scenes of daily life or mythology, common motifs in Kangxi wares that blended artistry with cultural storytelling. Housed in the Robert Lehman Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art since 1975, this ceramic treasure highlights the global allure of Chinese export porcelain, which captivated collectors worldwide. Its compact size and intricate details invite close contemplation, revealing the Qing dynasty's enduring legacy in bridging utility and 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...