Carp-shaped wall vase: C.40-1998

Titles

Carp-shaped wall vase

Maker(s)

Unknown

Entities

• Vase
• carp shaped wall vase

Categories

• Porcelain
• Hard-paste porcelain

Description

Hard paste porcelain decorated underglaze in blue and overglaze in red, pale-red, and violet enamels, and gold. The carp, hollow-moulded, leaps upwards supported by its curling tail and rests on a simple base with an uneven and gritty underside. The body is finely moulded with scales and gills, and the fins and tail finely incised. The head, upper half of the body, dorsal fin and tail are covered in a wash of underglaze blue, the lower half with pale red enamel and covered with a bluish glaze; details of the tail, fins and head are outlined in gold; the large open mouth is picked out in red and gold and a beady eye in gold with a recessed pupil. The back of the model is flat and undecorated except where the underglaze blue has flowed. A hole is pierced in the centre of the back for suspension and at the base of the tail.

Notes

History note: Umezawa, from whom purchased by the donor

Legal notes

Given by Miss Irene Finch

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1998-10-12) by Finch, Irene, Miss

Dating

18th Century
Circa 1700 - Circa 1800

Note

Wall vases are very rare - most models are free-standing. This may be the original type for the domestic market, from which the numerous export models were derived. The colours are particularly suited to model fish.