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Subject:Re: Nicely Carved Old Chinese Soapstone Vase- How Old?
Posted By: Kevin Donnelley Sun, Mar 19, 2017
with significant comparisons in styling among old Chinese vases in the form of a flower, a photo of a Jingdezhen Qingbai ware vase is given below. The vase is on view at the Met Museum in Manhattan. Described by the museum as vase in the shape of a flower, Southern Song dynasty, 1127 to 1279.
http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/50236
The important similarities between the different vases from 2 separate and important Chinese decorative art disciplines, may help date the stone example with the visible evidence of the old methods employed in making it, noticeable ridges from the interior hollowing which spiral to a convex point
Both vases at the top exhibit the same character in petal design, with tall peaks between the petals which then slope down at a sharp angle to the ends. The character of the angles of the tops became less sharp and more ruffled in time.
the mouth and petals extend from a trumpeted neck above a bulbous midsection in both examples.
Above and below the midsections, fixed rings, are present, these are separate from the stone side rings. The midsection on each example is raised on a round foot.
Classic styling of Chinese vases in flower form is rare among vase forms, and dates by this account to at least the Southern Song period.
It is also interesting to see the commonality in design elements between 2 examples from different disciplines, demonstrating established ideals for a vase in flower form in meeting Chinese tastes
Thank you for your comments and contributions
Kind regards
Kevin
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