Vase
Unknown Artist
Medium
Cloisonné enamel on copper
Dimensions
H. 7 1/8 in. (18.1 cm)
Classification
Cloisonné
Culture & Period
China · Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong period (1736–95)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Edward G. Kennedy, 1929
Accession Number
29.110.81
Art Historical Context
This elegant cloisonné enamel vase from China's Qing dynasty, specifically the Qianlong period (1736–95), exemplifies the imperial court's mastery of luxury decorative arts. Standing at 7 1/8 inches tall, it was crafted on a copper base, a technique that flourished under Emperor Qianlong, a renowned patron of craftsmanship during an era of political stability and artistic innovation. Such vases were prized possessions, often used in palaces or as diplomatic gifts, reflecting the dynasty's blend of technical precision and aesthetic refinement. Cloisonné enamel, the vase's defining medium, invo...