Vase with cover
Unknown Artist
Medium
Nephrite, white with greenish tint
Dimensions
H. 7 1/4 in. (18.4 cm); W. 7 5/8 in. (19.3 cm); D. 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm)
Classification
Jade
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 Heber R. Bishop, 1902
Accession Number
02.18.621a, b
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite **Vase with Cover**ails from China's Qing dynasty, specifically thelong period (173695), a golden age of imperial artistry. Crafted from nephrite jade—prized for its toughness and luminous quality—this piece features a white body with a subtle greenish tint measuring 7¼ inches (18.4 cm) in height, 7⅝ inches (19.3 cm) wide, and 1½ inches (3.8 cm) deep. The inclusion of a fitted cover highlights the meticulous design typical of high-status vessels. Nephrite jade, sourced from regions like Hetian, symbolized purity, immortality, and imperial virtue in Chinese culture. During the Qianlong emperor's reign, palace workshops elevated jade carving to new heights, employing skilled lapidaries to transform raw stone into intricate forms. The rose motifs adorning this vase evoke beauty, prosperity, and the elegance of nature, common in Qianlong decorative arts that blended functionality with opulent symbolism. A gift to the Metropolitan Museum of Art from Heber R. Bishop in 1902, this vase exemplifies the technical mastery and cultural prestige of 18th-century Chinese jade work, inviting visitors to appreciate its serene glow and timeless refinement.