Vase with wave pattern, Qingbai-related ware

Vase with wave pattern. Small pear-shaped vessel with elongated neck, formed in parts by use of molds and assembled. Low foot-rim.
Clay: sandy porcelain, off-white on exposed surfaces.
Glaze: transparent, ivory-toned, crackled, abraded over raised areas of decoration with some small losses. Some earth adhesions.
Decoration: the body molded in pattern of surging waves. Lotus-petal border around base. Pair of lion masks holding rings in mouths placed opposite one another just above edge of wave pattern, at base of neck.

Historical period(s)
Southern Song or Yuan dynasty, 13th century
Medium
Porcelain with transparent pale-ivory (qingbai-related) glaze
Style
Nancheng ware
Dimensions
H x W x D: 15.4 x 10.2 x 10.2 cm (6 1/16 x 4 x 4 in)
Geography
China, Jiangxi province, Nancheng county, Fuzhou city
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1984.20
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Vessel
Type

Vase

Keywords
China, lion, porcelain, Qingbai ware, Song dynasty (960 - 1279), Southern Song dynasty (1127 - 1279)
Provenance

To ?
J.E. Melchior collection, Shanghai. [1]

To 1982
Helen Dalling Ling (d. 1982), Shanghai and Singapore. [2]

From 1982 to 1984
Dr. Tien Gi Ling, Singapore, by bequest from his wife, Helen Dalling Ling in May 1982. [3]

From 1984
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Dr. Tien Gi Ling, Singapore. [4]

Notes:

[1] According to Dr. Tien Gi Ling, Mrs. Helen D. Ling acquired the object from the J.E. Melchior Collection in Shanghai. Also see Curatorial Remark 3 in the object record.

[2] Helen Dalling Ling operated "The Green Dragon" antiques shop in Shanghai from 1938 to 1950 and a shop under her own name in Singapore from 1951 until her death in 1982.

[3] Helen Dalling Ling left a bequest to her husband, Dr. Tien Gi Ling on May 1982.

[4] Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List after 1920 file, Collections Management Office.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Mr. Tien Gi Ling
J.E. Melchior Collection
Helen D. Ling died 1982

Description

Vase with wave pattern. Small pear-shaped vessel with elongated neck, formed in parts by use of molds and assembled. Low foot-rim.
Clay: sandy porcelain, off-white on exposed surfaces.
Glaze: transparent, ivory-toned, crackled, abraded over raised areas of decoration with some small losses. Some earth adhesions.
Decoration: the body molded in pattern of surging waves. Lotus-petal border around base. Pair of lion masks holding rings in mouths placed opposite one another just above edge of wave pattern, at base of neck.

Published References
  • Sarah Booth. The Freer's Rare Catch: Gallery Acquires 30 Flawless Ancient Chinese Ceramics. Washington, May 23, 1984. p. B2.
  • H. W. Siegel, Helen D. Ling. Ying Ching Porcelains of the Tang and Song Dynasties: Collection of the Late J.E. Melchior. t, ltd. ed. Shanghai. cat. Y 126, p. 29.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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