Covered box
18th century
This box’s turquoise glaze and gilded spiral patterns imitate gilt bronze cloisonné vessels. The illusion continues in the gilded interior, made to look like unoxidized bronze. The Qianlong emperor was fond of art objects that dazzled but also fooled the eyes—an example of how imperial passions pushed porcelain technology to create new forms, glazes, and applications. The Imperial Ware Factory’s superintendent supervised the design, finance, production, and transportation of tens of thousands of top-quality pieces for the palace from the porcelain center of Jingdezhen.
Porcelain with turquoise glaze and gilt
3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm), height
6 3/8 in. (16.2 cm), diameter
3 13/16 in. (9.7 cm), overall height
Purchased in memory of the E. K. Bishop and Lillian Bishop Family
73.5
Photo: Paul Macapia