Vase Imitating Venetian “Serpent” Goblet
Vase Imitating Venetian “Serpent” Goblet
Place of OriginChina
DateLate 17th century, (Kangxi Period 1662-1722)
Dimensionsof vase with lid: 9 1/2 × 4 1/2 × 3 in. (24.1 × 11.4 × 7.6 cm)
of vase without lid: 6 13/16 × 4 × 3 7/16 in. (17.3 × 10.2 × 8.7 cm)
of vase without lid: 6 13/16 × 4 × 3 7/16 in. (17.3 × 10.2 × 8.7 cm)
MediumPainted porcelain with applied handles.
ClassificationCeramics
Credit LinePurchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey
Object number
2004.90
On View
Toledo Museum of Art (2445 Monroe Street), Gallery, 35
DescriptionPorcelain Vase with slightly compressed spherical body followed by a tall conical neck, a faceted collar, and a trumpet-shaped rim piece. The body is flanked by two opposing openwork scroll handles that are applied to the shoulder of the body and to either side of the neck. The vase is painted in bright violet blue tones with flowers using cross-hatched shading, and birds.
Label TextA hybrid type combining Chinese and European features, the body of this porcelain vase has a gourd shape common in Chinese blue and white porcelain, whereas the applied handles imitate decorations on Venetian and façon de Venise glasses made in the Netherlands and Germany in the second half of the 17th century. Chinese potters may have used a printed image, but more likely copied this feature from an actual glass. Serpent-stem glasses were certainly among the Dutch luxury goods traded widely, and it is possible that such vessels were made available to Chinese potters to copy.Published ReferencesCf. Christie's, London, Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art including Export Art, 8 June, 2004, lot 316 (pair of vases).
D. F. Lunsingh Scheurleer, Chine de Commande, Hilversum: W. de Haan, 1966, pl. 107 (vase in Princesshof Museum, Leeuwarden).
R. Krahl and J. Ayers, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul, vol. III, p. 1019, pl. 2181 (pair of vases in Topkapi Saray Museum, Instanbul).
Glass form: E. Theuerkauff-Liederwald, Venezianisches Glas der Veste Coburg, 1994, p. 348, no. 348.
Page, Jutta-Annette, The Art of Glass: Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio, Toledo Museum of Art, 2006, repr. (col.) p. 99.
Late 6th - 5th century BCE
1918
Second half of the first century CE
Second half of first century CE
4th century CE
about 3rd-4th century CE
Membership
Become a TMA member today
Support TMA
Help support the TMA mission