Jingdezhen ware

(China)

Title

Wine 'chicken' cup

Place of origin

Jingdezhen → Jiangxi Province → China

Period

Qing dynasty 1644 - 1911 → China

Year

circa 1725-1750

Media category

Ceramic

Materials used

porcelain with underglaze blue and overglaze enamels in the 'doucai' style

Dimensions

3.8 x 8.1cm

Signature & date

Not signed. Not dated.

Credit

Gift of Mr J.H. Myrtle 1992

Accession number

193.1992

Location

Lower Asian gallery

Further information

Reference to and reverence for the past are enshrined in the Chinese artistic tradition. Just as painters sought to achieve the lofty ideals of earlier masters, so potters sought to emulate the refined achievements of their predecessors. This exquisite wine cup demonstrates that the extraordinarily fine porcelains of the Chenghua period (1467-87) of the Ming dynasty were a natural source of inspiration for the technically accomplished potters of the early Qing. In all respects the vessel emulates its Chenghua precursors. The perfection of the almost miniature form is matched by the quiet refinement of the underglaze blue decoration and the subtle exuberance of the overglaze enamels. The 'doucai' technique, meaning 'contending' or 'contrasting colours', juxtaposes the bright but transparent enamel colours- in this case red, green, yellow, turquoise and pale aubergine with the softer tone of the underglaze blue.

Art Gallery Handbook, 1999. pg. 257.

Bibliography (5)

Bruce James, Art Gallery of New South Wales handbook, 'Asian Collection: East Asia', pg. 246-287, Domain, 1999, 257 (colour illus.).

Jackie Menzies, The Art Gallery of New South Wales collections, 'Asian Art - India, South-East Asia, China, Tibet, Korea, Japan', pg. 173-228, Sydney, 1994, 203 (colour illus.).

Jackie Menzies (Editor), The Asian Collections Art Gallery of New South Wales 2003, 'The Marvel of Porcelain', Domain, 2003, 119 (colour illus.).

Julian Thompson, Orientations Sep 2000, 'Chinese Porcelain in the Collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales', pg. 96-103, Hong Kong, Sep 2000, 102 (colour illus.). fig.10

Editor Unknown (Editor), 1000 Years of Chinese Ceramics 1970, Sydney, 1970. cat. no. 64

Exhibition history (2)

1,000 Years of Chinese Ceramics, Lindesay, Darling Point, 26 Nov 1970–29 Nov 1970

Great gifts, great patrons, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 17 Aug 1994–19 Oct 1994