Dragons & Immortals (past exhibition)

17th-Century Porcelain from the Shanghai Museum and Butler Collections

Vase, 1676-1700

This selection of pieces from the collections of the Shanghai Museum and the Butler Family illustrate the brilliant creativity of the potters and ceramic decorators of Jingdezhen, the main porcelain production centre in southern China in the 17th century.

In 1607 a much-weakened Ming court abandoned direct control over the imperial kilns in Jingdezhen. This liberated the best craftsmen to work for private kilns serving customers other than the imperial palace. Wealthy merchants and the landed gentry became important patrons, and Japan bought Chinese porcelains for the tea ceremony. Newly arrived Dutch traders also purchased large quantities of porcelains and exported them all over Europe.

When the new Qing dynasty was founded in 1644, Jingdezhen continued to innovate, creating many new shapes and decorative styles. Then, some time between 1654 and 1680, the imperial kilns were re-established.

Click on the images below to see larger versions

Dish, 1655-65

 

 

 

Dish
1655-65
Porcelain painted in underglaze blue and red
Courtesy Butler Family Collection

The way the mountains are depicted, by a group of parallel lines suggesting contours, is a distinctive style that appeared in the mid 17th century.

Dish, dated 1672

Dish
Dated 1672, renzi year (repeats every 60 years) of (emperor) Kangxi period
Porcelain painted in underglaze blue and red
Inscribed on the base with an eight-character 'Hall of Central Harmony' mark
Courtesy Butler Family Collection

The scene is from The West Chamber, where Yingying sends her maid Hongniang to take a message to Zhang Gong, the man she's attracted to.

Dish, 1662-75

 

 

 

Dish
1662-75
Porcelain painted in enamels
Courtesy Butler Family Collection

In this early episode from The West Chamber, the scholar Zhang Gong catches his first glimpse of Yingying at the Pujiu Temple and is stunned by her beauty. Next to Zhang Gong stands the elderly monk Facong, while Yingying listens to her maid Hongniang.

Dish, Dated 1673

Dish
Dated 1673, guichou year (repeats every 60 years) of (emperor) Kangxi period
Porcelain painted in underglaze blue and red
Inscribed on the base with an eight-character 'Hall of Central Harmony' mark
Courtesy Butler Family Collection

In this early episode from The West Chamber, the scholar Zhang Gong catches his first glimpse of Yingying at the Pujiu Temple and is stunned by her beauty. Next to Zhang Gong stands the elderly monk Facong, while Yingying listens to her maid Hongniang.

Censer, 1621-7

 

 

Censer
1621-7
Porcelain painted in underglaze blue
Courtesy Butler Family Collection

A censer was used for burning incense both in the temple and at home. This one takes the form of a mythical animal, with a detachable head and an open mouth to let the smoke out.

 

Deep bowl, 1645-55

 

 

Deep bowl
1645-55
Porcelain painted in enamels
Courtesy Butler Family Collection

This bowl depicts the Eight Immortals, Daoist deities who attain immortality through self-discipline. On the other side of the bowl (not visible in this image) is a seated bearded man with a halo who is the God of Longevity, and a deer and crane which are also symbols of long life.

Square vase, 1676-1700

 

 

Square vase
1676-1700
Porcelain painted in underglaze blue
Courtesy Shanghai Museum

The four sides of this vase provide a perfect surface for the ceramic decorator. Each has a landscape complete with poetry, like a hanging scroll.

Deep bowl, 1628-44

 

 

Deep bowl
1628-44
Porcelain painted in underglaze blue
Courtesy Shanghai Museum

The decoration is based on the story of Bing Ji, a government minister who enquired about the health of a buffalo. Agriculture was important to China and Bing Ji's concern was praised by historians.

Brushpot, 1644-61

 

 

Brushpot
1644-61
Porcelain painted in underglaze blue and enamels in doucai style
Courtesy Shanghai Museum

The brushpot depicts the story of the scholar Liu Yi carrying a message to the waterworld. He rides perilously on the back of a carp, beneath the Dongting Lake, while half-human sea creatures hold lanterns to show him the way. The decoration is executed in the doucai style, a labour-intensive technique that involves drawing the outlines in underglaze blue, then filling the spaces with different enamels

Vase, 1640

 

 

Vase
1640 (gengchen year of Chongzhen period)
Porcelain painted in underglaze blue
Courtesy Shanghai Museum

Landscape and calligraphy combined is a scheme invented by 17th-century ceramic decorators. This vase is inscribed with verses by three famous poets.

Brushpot, 1643

 

 

Brushpot
1643, guiwei year (repeats every 60 years) of (emperor) Chongzhen period
Porcelain painted in underglaze blue
Courtesy Shanghai Museum

The Eighteen Luohan were disciples of the Buddha who wielded supernatural power. Here they are crossing the sea, riding on the backs of various animals, including a fish, a crab and a prawn.

Vase, 1700

 

 

Vase
1700, gengchen year (repeats every 60 years) of (emperor) Kangxi period
Porcelain painted in underglaze blue
Courtesy Shanghai Museum

A traveller is crossing a bridge in winter beneath a snow covered tree.

The 2006 exhibition 'Dragons & Immortals: 17th century  porcelain from the Shanghai Museum and Butler Collections was supported by Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd.