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An image of Altar vessel 'zun' by

Unknown Artist

Title
Altar vessel 'zun'
Other titles:
Ceremonial altar vessel 'zun'
Place of origin
China
Period
Qianlong 1736 - 1795Qing dynasty 1644 - 1911 → China
Year
1735-1795
Media category
Ceramic
Materials used
porcelain with yellow glaze
Dimensions

28.4 x 25.3cm

Credit
Purchased 1969
Accession number
EC3.1969
Location
Lower Asian gallery
Further information

From the Qianlong period on, a separate type of monochrome ware was produced for ritual use by the emperor. These vessels were catalogued in a book called 'The illustrated regulations for the ceremonial paraphernalia of the Qing dynasty' compiled in 1759. The pieces were made in forms derived from ancient bronzes and their colour was determined by the Beijing temple they were made for, such as yellow for use in the Temple of Earth and blue for the Temple of Heaven.

The Asian Collections, AGNSW, 2003, pg.129.

Bibliography (1)

'The Marvel of Porcelain', The Asian Collections Art Gallery of New South Wales 2003, 2003, 129 (colour illus.).