Gourd-shaped vase from a garniture of five vases

Date1695-1715

Label TextDesigned for display atop a kast or on a chimneypiece, the concept for these impressive vases was inspired by Chinese Ming altar vases collected by the Dutch. They are an exotic blend of forms and decoration-their shapes come from Chinese vases and jars, but the overall dense textural patterns evoke another Asian decorative style and rare commodity: the famous shawls of Kashmir, India. "Carryers of the World" was novelist Daniel Defoe's description of the Dutch, who had developed a prosperous maritime trade in the second half of the seventeenth century. The homes of prosperous Dutch burghers, the great merchants of Europe at this time, prominently featured kasten, a form of tall cupboard, on which Chinese porcelain, Delftware, metalwork or glassware was proudly displayed. These cabinets served as storage for valuable household items such as silverware and linens.

Object number54.81.5

Photo CreditPhoto: Paul Macapia

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, "Expressions of the Brush: Paintings by Dutch and British Masters", December 22, 2001 - March 9, 2003, (12/22/2001-3/9/2001) Seattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, "Porcelain Stories: From China to Europe", February 17 - May 7, 2000 (2/17-5/7/2000) Published References"Selected Works." Seattle, WA: Seattle Art Museum, 1991, p. 100 (as 58.41) Emerson, Julie, Jennifer Chen, & Mimi Gardner Gates. "Porcelain Stories, From China to Europe". Seattle, WA: Seattle Art Museum, 2000. Pl. 9.4 and 9.5, pp. 106-107 Yiu, Josh, On the Origin of the Garniture de Cheminée, American Ceramic Circle Journal, Volume XV, 2009, Fig. 1, illustrated pg 10

Credit LineMargaret E. Fuller Purchase Fund

Dimensions17 x 23 5/8 in. (43.2 x 60 cm)

MediumDelftware, tin-glazed earthenware