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Covered box with flower motifs
Covered box with flower motifs

Covered box with flower motifs

Place of OriginJingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Date1736-1795
DynastyQing dynasty (1644-1911), Reign of the Qianlong emperor (1736-1795)
MaterialsPorcelain with underglaze blue and overglaze multicolor decoration
DimensionsH. 3 in x Diam. 7 in, H. 7.6 cm x Diam. 17.8 cm
Credit LineGift of Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence E. Martin
Object numberB72P12.a-.b
DepartmentChinese Art
ClassificationsCeramics
On View
On view
LocationLoggia 6
MarkingsQianlong mark and underglaze blue six-character mark in two columns
More Information

Underglaze Red and Underglaze Blue, with Overglaze Multicolor Decoration

Just as cobalt was used to achieve underglaze blue decorations, copper was fired to achieve a red color. In the 1700s, ceramics decorated with what was considered to be the best red—a clear, bright shade of the color— were made at the imperially supervised kilns.

This case displays the combination of underglaze and overglaze decoration used in the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties known as the doucai (“competing colors”) technique, in which blue underglaze outlines are filled in with overglaze multicolor enamels.