Vase with decoration of rocks, flowers, and butterflies
The decorating of porcelain with lacquer and mother-of-pearl exemplifies the inventiveness of Chinese art from the mid-seventeenth to the early eighteenth century. Although the vase is not marked, the shape is common among works produced during the reign of the Kangxi emperor. However, it is not clear if the lacquer and pearl shell were added when the vase was made or slightly later. Vases with this type of decoration are found in some numbers in Europe, where they are often known as laques burgautés,a term that was coined by nineteenth-century French specialists in porcelain and that is frequently, and incorrectly, used to describe works in lacquer with mother-of-pearl decoration.
Artwork Details
- 清康熙 瓷胎黑漆嵌螺鈿花石蝴蝶紋瓶
- Title: Vase with decoration of rocks, flowers, and butterflies
- Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Kangxi period (1662–1722)
- Culture: China
- Medium: Black lacquer over porcelain, inlaid with mother-of-pearl
- Dimensions: H. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm); Diam. 8 1/4 in. (21 cm)
- Classification: Ceramics
- Credit Line: Purchase by subscription, 1879
- Object Number: 79.2.104
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
1713–22
17th century
dated 1774
late 17th century
Accession Number: 17.120.194
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.