Square vase with birds and flowers
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Porcelain painted in polychrome enamels over black ground (Jingdezhen ware, famille noire)
Dimensions
H. 24 1/2 in. (62.2 cm); W. 6 5/8 in. (16.8 cm); Diam. of rim 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Culture & Period
China · Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Benjamin Altman, 1913
Accession Number
14.40.226
Tags
Art Historical Context
This elegant square vase, standing an impressive 24½ inches tall, hails from China's Qing dynasty (1644–1911), specifically the 19th century Crafted in Jingdezhen—the renowned imperial porcelain capital—it's a fine example of *famille noire* ware, where a glossy black ground is vividly painted with polychrome enamels The square form is unusual for vases, suggesting it was designed as a dramatic display piece for scholarly rooms or elite collections, its broad rim and sturdy proportions enhancing its presence. The decoration features birds and flowers in brilliant hues of green, yellow, and re...