Description
(AI Generated)
Shiwan Vase Cobalt Blue with Molded Relief Decoration
A Chinese Cobalt Blue Glazed Stoneware Baluster Vase with Ring Handles
| Feature | Detail |
| Culture / Kiln | China, Shiwan (Shekwan) Kilns, Guangdong Province |
| Dating | Late Qing Dynasty to Early Republican Period, late 19th – early 20th Century |
| Material | Coarse stoneware with a thick, monochrome glaze |
| Dimensions | 9 in. tall |
Description
This handsome stoneware vase exhibits the distinctive characteristics of Shiwan ware (Shekwan), celebrated for its mastery of rich, heavy glazes. The vase is potted in a classic Chinese baluster form with a wide, flat rim and a gently tapering body.
It is covered in a deep, lustrous cobalt blue monochrome glaze that terminates unevenly above the footrim, creating a thick, pooled edge that is characteristic of the Shiwan firing process. The glaze contrasts sharply with the exposed coarse, grayish-brown stoneware body visible on the unglazed foot and base.
The body of the vase is decorated in low molded relief beneath the glaze. The relief pattern includes ruyi-head motifs (symbols of good fortune and longevity) and geometric scrolls, adding subtle texture that is highlighted by the pooling and thinning of the thick blue glaze. The vase features four sets of applied loop handles situated symmetrically below the neck.
Condition: Excellent
Provenance: Private Collection.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiwan_ware
Significance
Shiwan pottery, made near Foshan in Guangdong, was produced for both the domestic Chinese market and for export to the West via the nearby trading port of Canton (Guangzhou). Pieces like this vase were popular decorative items in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, valued for their bold forms and striking glazes. The vessel stands as a fine example of traditional folk artistry and ceramic innovation from the Lingnan region.
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