Chinese
Ku Shaped Vessel, 1700–1799, Qing Dynasty
On view
Porcelain
Dimensions9 1/4 × 6 3/4 in. (23.5 × 17.1 cm)
Gift of Mrs. Thelma C. Foy, 2005.98
This tall vase with a wide mouth and slightly flared base is modeled after an ancient Chinese wine beaker known as a Ku. It was made during Qing Dynasty (1644–1911) and likely used primarily for decoration. During the Qing Dynasty great emphasis was put on technical ingenuity and perfection. The fine grain of porcelain made the material challenging to work with but sumptuous when molded by a skilled hand. When glazed the rich, shiny surface was often considered a luxury item in China.
