Vase
Unknown Artist
18th century
Medium
Chalcedony-agate
Dimensions
H. 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm)
Classification
Hardstone
Culture
China
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Heber R. Bishop, 1902
Accession Number
02.18.888
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 18th-century Chinese vase, carved from chalcedony-agate, the masterful hardstone craftsmanship of the Qing dynasty. just 4½ inches (11.4 cm) tall, its petite scale belies the monumental skill required to shape this resilient, semi-precious stone, known for its translucent bands of color and durability. Chalcedony-agate was highly prized in imperial China for its natural beauty, often transformed into vessels that highlighted the lapidary's precision in revealing intricate patterns without flaws. During the 18th century, under emperors like Qianlong, hardstone carving flourished...