Lamp with balustrade base

The small oil lamp is assembled of several separately molded pieces. At the top is a molded dish with lotus petals in relief on the exterior and a small cylindrical post in the center. With a rectangular opening cut in one side, the post probably served as a wick holder. The dish is supported by a high, conical foot, the lower half of which is lobed. The foot is divided at the halfway point by a dish resembling a small balcony with a vertical railing around the outer edge. Between the upright posts of the railing are leaf-shaped cutouts. A pale blue, transparent glaze covers the buff-colored porcelaneous stoneware down to the base.

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Historical period(s)
Southern Song dynasty, late 12th century
Medium
Porcelain with transparent pale-blue (qingbai) glaze
Style
Qingbai ware
Dimensions
H x Diam (overall): 9.7 x 8 cm (3 13/16 x 3 1/8 in)
Geography
China, Jiangxi Province
Credit Line
The Dr. Paul Singer Collection of Chinese Art of the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; a joint gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, Paul Singer, the AMS Foundation for the Arts, Sciences, and Humanities, and the Children of Arthur M. Sackler
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Accession Number
S2012.9.3783
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic
Type

Lamp

Keywords
China, Paul Singer collection, Qingbai ware, Southern Song dynasty (1127 - 1279)
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

The small oil lamp is assembled of several separately molded pieces. At the top is a molded dish with lotus petals in relief on the exterior and a small cylindrical post in the center. With a rectangular opening cut in one side, the post probably served as a wick holder. The dish is supported by a high, conical foot, the lower half of which is lobed. The foot is divided at the halfway point by a dish resembling a small balcony with a vertical railing around the outer edge. Between the upright posts of the railing are leaf-shaped cutouts. A pale blue, transparent glaze covers the buff-colored porcelaneous stoneware down to the base.

Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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