Blue and White Ceramics

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Welcome to our exploration of blue and white porcelain from China. These pieces, adorned with cobalt underglaze and intricate floral or courtly motifs, reflect the artistry and cultural values of the time. Each porcelain piece tells a story of elegance and craftsmanship. From vases that graced the homes of the elite to delicately painted dishes blending utility with beauty, these artifacts embody a rich heritage. Whether symbols of status, fine art objects, or trade treasures, they played a pivotal role in shaping both Chinese culture and its global influence. Explore their history, design, and enduring charm as we delve into this fascinating chapter of Chinese artistry.

Bottle-shaped vase, one of a pair with F1982.20

This pear-shaped porcelain vase, crafted during the Kangxi reign (1662–1722) of the Qing dynasty in Jingdezhen, China, is one of a pair and features underglaze cobalt blue decorations. The intricate design includes a rockery with flowering plants, floral scrolls, and flowering branches, symbolizing nature's enduring beauty, growth, and abundance.

The use of a pair suggests they were intended for symmetrical display, such as on a mantelpiece or sideboard. Complemented by hatched borders and a brown-glazed lip, the vase embodies the cyclical nature of life. Donated in 1982 by Myron S. Falk Jr. and Pauline Baerwald Falk, it is part of the Freer Gallery of Art collection.

Clay: White porcelain
Glaze: Clear porcelain glaze, with brown glaze on the lip
Decoration: Painted in underglaze cobalt blue. The body features a design of rockery with flowering plants, and the ground is filled with foliate floral scrolls. Flowering branches adorn the neck. It also incorporates hatched borders.

Incense burner

This blue-and-white porcelain incense burner, crafted in Jingdezhen, China, between the mid-17th and early 18th century during the Qing dynasty, features a bowl shape with a flared rim. The exterior is adorned with geometric patterns, which may symbolize cosmic order or the harmony between heaven and earth, while the interior remains undecorated.

Incense burners played a vital role in Chinese rituals, such as ancestor veneration and Buddhist or Daoist practices, and were used in both home and temple settings. Donated to the Freer Gallery of Art in 1992 by Maureen Jacoby in memory of her husband, Rolf Jacoby, the piece was previously acquired from Trocadéro, Kenny & Higgins Asian Art, Inc., in Washington, DC.

Shape: This burner was first shaped on a potter's wheel, then further refined and shaped by hand. The bowl shape with flared edges is typical of incense burners, allowing them to safely contain the burning incense and efficiently disperse the smoke.
Glaze: It has a clear glaze over cobalt pigment. This type of glaze, known as a clear colorless glaze, is a transparent coating applied to the s urface of the ceramic before firing.

Baluster vase, from a five-piece garniture (F1980.190-.194)

This baluster vase, part of a five-piece garniture, was crafted during the Kangxi reign (1662–1722) of the Qing dynasty in Jingdezhen, China. Made of white porcelain with underglaze cobalt blue decoration, it features a court lady entertained by dancers and musicians, symbolizing the leisurely lifestyle, artistic pursuits, and social harmony valued by the elite. Themes of prosperity and Confucian ideals of order are reflected in the scene.

Standing 46.3 cm tall with a lid featuring a bud-shaped finial, the vase showcases the artistry of Kangxi-period porcelain. Acquired by the Freer Gallery of Art in 1980, it has a notable provenance, including Duveen Brothers and Myron S. Falk Jr.

Clay: White porcelain
Glaze:Clear, feldspathic
Decoration: Painted in underglaze cobalt blue.