Box in the shape of a fish dragon

The small ceramic box has a lid made of fine, gray porcelain (visible at a chip) with transparent green, yellow and purple enamels. Box in the shape of a Fish Dragon.

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Historical period(s)
Ming dynasty, 16th-17th century
Medium
Gray porcelain with transparent green, yellow and purple enamels.
Style
Zhangzhou ware
Dimensions
H x W x D (overall): 4.8 x 4.5 x 7.7 cm (1 7/8 x 1 3/4 x 3 1/16 in)
Geography
China, Fujian province, Zhangzhou kilns
Credit Line
Gift of the Ling family from the Helen D. Ling Collection.
Collection
Freer Study Collection
Accession Number
FSC-P-6780a-d
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Container
Type

Box

Keywords
China, dragon, fish, Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644), porcelain, Zhangzhou ware
Provenance

To 1982
Helen Dalling Ling (1901-1982), Singapore. [1]

From 1982 to 2004
Ann S. Ling, Potomac, Maryland, by gift or inheritance from her mother-in-law, Helen Dalling Ling (d. 1982). [2]

From 2004
Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Ann S. Ling, Potomac, Maryland. [3]

Notes:

[1] According to Louise Cort, the object was probably collected during the period Helen D. Ling lived in Singapore and operated an antique shop there between 1951 and 1982. See Curatorial Remark 2 in the object record.

[2] See Curatorial Remarks 1 and 2 in the object record.

[3] See Acquisition Consideration form, copy in object file, Collections Management Office.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Mrs. Ann S. Ling
Helen D. Ling died 1982

Description

The small ceramic box has a lid made of fine, gray porcelain (visible at a chip) with transparent green, yellow and purple enamels. Box in the shape of a Fish Dragon.

Published References
  • The Helen D. Ling Collection of Chinese Ceramics. Exh. cat. College Park, Maryland. cat. nos. 77-78, pp. 11-15.
  • Kochi Type Colour Glazed Ware: Collection of Honda Hiromu. Exh. cat. Fukuoka. cat. 25, pp. 34-35.
  • Honda Hiromu, Shimazu Noriki. Vietnamese and Chinese Ceramics Used in the Japanese Tea Ceremony. The Asia Collection Singapore and New York. p. 181, pl. 171.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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