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Altar vase

1496
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 216
On loan to The Met
This work of art is currently on loan to the museum.
The elongated form of this vase shares similarities with bronze altar vases. It was once part of a three-piece altar set, comprising an incense burner and two vases, for a temple dedicated to Guan Yu, a deified general who was active in the third century.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 明弘治 景德鎮窯青花獸耳瓶
  • Title: Altar vase
  • Period: Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
  • Date: 1496
  • Culture: China
  • Medium: Porcelain painted in underglaze cobalt blue (Jingdezhen ware)
  • Dimensions: H. 24 5/8 in. (62.6 cm)
  • Classification: Ceramics
  • Credit Line: On loan with kind permission from the Trustees of the Sir Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art
  • Rights and Reproduction: Photograph courtesy of the Trustees of the Sir Percival David Foundation; © The Trustees of the British Museum, London
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art