Vase
Unknown Artist
Medium
Porcelain
Dimensions
H. 9 in. (22.9 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Culture & Period
China · Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Kangxi period (1662–1722)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Benjamin Altman, 1913
Accession Number
14.40.249
Art Historical Context
This elegant porcelain vase, standing at 9 inches tall, hails from China's Qing dynasty during the Kangxi period (16621722), a golden age of ceramic artistry under Emperor Kangxi's reign. Produced likely at the imperial kilns of Jingdezhen, the epicenter of porcelain innovation, it exemplifies the technical mastery of the era. Porcelain from this time was prized worldwide for its translucent "white gold" body, achieved through kaolin clay fired at high temperatures, and often featured vibrant glazes or intricate designs—though this piece's subtle form highlights the period's refined simplicity...