Asianart.com | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries


Visitors' Forum

Asian Art  Forums - Detail List
Asian Art Forums

Message Listing by Date:
Message Index | Back | Post a New Message | Search | Private Mail | FAQ
Subject:Unusual Cloisonne Vase
Posted By: Mary Wed, Mar 26, 2014 IP: 173.129.195.207

Hello,
My grandmother bought this vase before I was born, and has passed it on to me. I have done a lot of research on Cloisonne, and have not been able to find anything that seems very similar.
I think it may be from around the late 1880's to 1900's based on the "China" mark incised on the bottom. Other than that, I can't really find out much about it. Any comments or input anyone may have would be greatly appreciated!







Subject:Re: Unusual Cloisonne Vase
Posted By: Mary Thu, Mar 27, 2014

I thought maybe I should post a photo of the top and the bottom of it.





Subject:Re: Unusual Cloisonne Vase
Posted By: Bill H Fri, Mar 28, 2014

Your Chinese cloisonné vase has a motif apparently featuring the Eight Treasures of Buddhism" (Babao - 八寶). See the link for explanations. I've included a photo of a Guangxu-period (1875-1908) plate showing all of them.

Best regards,

Bill H.




URL Title :Babao


Subject:Re: Unusual Cloisonne Vase
Posted By: Mary Fri, Mar 28, 2014

Wow, thank you, Bill! That is exactly what is on the vase! I was very puzzled by the "ribbons", and now I see that they must be "victory banners".

The plate is quite beautiful!

I wonder if these were things that were made for export, since it doesn't seem as if the West would have that much interest or knowledge of Buddhist/related religions and objects back then. And, if they weren't made for export, then they must have been made for their own.

Thank you so much, that really helps me a great deal.

Subject:Re: Unusual Cloisonne Vase
Posted By: Bill H Sat, Mar 29, 2014

The babao plate was made for the Palace to present to high achievers in the imperial Examinations. I believe your cloisonné vase was made for export, not only to other countries where Buddhism was practiced but also to the West, where the pattern also was considered to be appealing, as your comments stand in testimony.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Subject:Re: Unusual Cloisonne Vase
Posted By: Mary Mon, Mar 31, 2014

That is a very nice reward for the high achievers! It must be very valuable.
Yes, I can see that they would have made them for export, even though the West wasn't particularly Buddhist, it does have a very "exotic" and Chinese look, which is what made exports from China so attractive to Westerners.
Thank you very much again for sharing your knowledge and your time!

Subject:Re: Unusual Cloisonne Vase
Posted By: idcloisonne Mon, Mar 31, 2014

Size would be great?
It is an early 20th century export vase, good quality Chinese cloisonne applications. Colors are varied and reflect this time period as well as the sparser background, the shape and the rims. The gilding or gold finish has worn off, but the copper base has not darkened much yet.
You will find the metal bases with China impressed on it from 1895 or so to 1925, by the better cloisonne makers.

Subject:Re: Unusual Cloisonne Vase
Posted By: Mary Tue, Apr 01, 2014

The size of the vase is 8 1/4" tall, and approximately 6 1/2" wide at it's widest point. The bottom rim is 3 1/2" in diameter, while the top opening is a bit over 3 1/2" in diameter.

I had observed that some of the wire looks gilded, while more of it is darker, and it seems like it might be tarnished silver wire when looked at closely with a magnifying glass.

Your information is wonderful; as even with a lot of research I was coming up empty on anything that looked similar.

I can't thank you enough for your expert opinion and for taking the time to write your thoughts on the vase. I value your expertise very much!


Asianart.com | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries |