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Vase decorated with floral medallions

mid-18th century
Not on view
This lavish vase, produced in the imperial kilns of the Qing dynasty, is a virtual compendium of auspicious images, including lotus, dragons, bottle gourds, and more. Particularly prominent are the bats; because “bat” (fu 蝠) sounds like “good fortune” (fu 福) in Chinese, the animals bear this symbolic meaning.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 清乾隆 景德鎮窯紅地軋道粉彩團花紋大瓶
  • Title: Vase decorated with floral medallions
  • Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong period (1736–95)
  • Date: mid-18th century
  • Culture: China
  • Medium: Porcelain painted in overglaze enamels and gilding with engraved decoration (Jingdezhen ware)
  • Dimensions: H. 29 1/4in. (74.3 cm); Diam. 15 in. (38.1 cm)
    Diam. of rim: 10 in. (25.4 cm)
    Diam. of foot: 10 3/8 in. (26.4 cm)
  • Classification: Ceramics
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Benjamin Altman, 1913
  • Object Number: 14.40.406
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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