"Sky-clearing-blue" Bowl with design of Two Four-clawed Dragons Chasing a Pearl
Artist/maker unknown, Chinese
Geography:
Made in China, Asia
Date:
1644-1911Medium:
Glazed porcelain with incised underglaze decoration - monochromeDimensions:
2 1/2 x 8 1/16 inches (6.4 x 20.5 cm)Curatorial Department:
East Asian ArtObject Location:
1944-20-301Credit Line:
Gift of Major General and Mrs. William Crozier, 1944
Made in China, Asia
Date:
1644-1911Medium:
Glazed porcelain with incised underglaze decoration - monochromeDimensions:
2 1/2 x 8 1/16 inches (6.4 x 20.5 cm)Curatorial Department:
East Asian ArtObject Location:
Currently not on view
Accession Number:1944-20-301Credit Line:
Gift of Major General and Mrs. William Crozier, 1944
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blue [x] chinese porcelain [x] poem [x] poetry [x] porcelain [x]This bowl was once in the collection of the Qianlong emperor (1736-1795), a passionate collector and commissioner of art as well as a composer of poetry and calligraphy. A poem written by the emperor--one of many of his own compositions that he ordered master artisans to incise into palace-collection objects--appears in official script at the base of the bowl.
The poem alludes to the bowl's brilliant color: Scattering mist and variegated colors disperse and do not leave behind any forms/they are washed out of the growing heavens and the color of the sky clearing up is azure.