Red and blue vase

Title
Red and blue vase
Year/Period
18th century
Region
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Object Type
Dimension
Object size: H37.8 x Dia19.3 x Dia of mouth9.5 cm
Accession No.
2002-00082
Credit Line
From the Xiang Xue Zhuang Collection in memory of Dr Tan Tsze Chor

This vase features a combination of copper red and underglaze blue with a '100 antiquities' motif. The term 'antiquities' ('bogu') comes from the Xuande Catalogue of Antiquities, a compilation of bronzes in the Xuande Hall during the Northern Song dynasty (960-1126). These include bronze and red coins, fan, a 'ruyi' sceptre and zither. Over the centuries, more antiquities such as jade, ceramics, stone, flowers among others were added to the list and was collectively known as the 'hundred antiquities'.