Vase

Art Historical Context

This elegant porcelain vase, created during China’s Qing dynasty in the Kangxi period (1662–1722), represents the refined ceramic traditions of one of the most celebrated eras in Chinese porcelain production. Standing just 5¼ inches tall, the vessel is painted in underglaze blue with motifs of butterflies, flowers, and leaves. These delicate designs highlight the technical skill of anonymous artisans working at the height of the Qing empire. The underglaze blue technique—where cobalt pigment is applied to the unfired body before glazing and high-temperature firing—allowed the colors to remain vibrant and durable. Kangxi-period porcelains like this one were prized both within China and abroad, embodying the dynasty’s cultural refinement and its role in global trade networks. Today, the vase resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Asian Art collection, a gift from the 1913 bequest of Benjamin Altman. Such works invite visitors to appreciate the quiet beauty and technical mastery that defined Chinese ceramics for centuries.