The David Vases
Yuan Dynasty, China. 1351 C.E. White porcelain with cobalt-blue underglaze
These vases are among the most important examples of blue-and-white porcelain in existence, and are probably the best-known porcelain vases in the world. They were made for the altar of a Daoist temple and their importance lies in the dated inscriptions on one side of their necks, above the bands of dragons. The long dedication is the earliest known on Chinese blue-and-white wares. These vases were owned by Sir Percival David (1892-1964), who built the most important private collection of Chinese ceramics in the world.
Form
Blue and white porcelain with intricate designs
Vases were modeled after bronzes
The David Vases were made as an altarpiece along with a incense burner to honor a general who had recently been made into a god due to his supernatural wisdom, power, and ability to tell the future.
Made for the altar of a Doaist Temple
Along with an incense burner which has not been found (a typical alter set)
Was then owned by a Sir Percival David who then put them on display as part of a collection.
Tall white vessels decorated with blue stylized dragons, birds, clouds and floral designs.
Elephant-head shaped handles
Neck and foot of vases: leaves and flowers
Dedication on the side of the neck of the vessels; believed to be earliest known blue and white porcelain dedication
Central section
Chinese dragons with traditional long bodies and beards
Dragons have scales and claws and are set in a sea of clouds
Inscription from one of the vases
“Zhang Wenjin, from Jingtang community, Dejiao village, Shuncheng township, Yushan county, Xinzhou circuit, a disciple of the Holy Gods, is pleased to offer a set comprising one incense burner and a pair of flower vases to General Hu Jingyi at the Original Palace in Xingyuan, as a prayer for the protection and blessing of the whole family and for the peace of his sons and daughters. Carefully offered on an auspicious day in the Fourth Month, Eleventh year of the Zhizheng reign”.
The long dedication is one of the earliest known on Chinese blue and white vases.
The Blue Porcelain was imported from Iran
Chinese expansion into western Asia makes the cobalt blue available
These porcelain vases show the traditional Chinese porcelain making with its signature blue glaze on white porcelain and its dragon, floral, and other curvilinear motifs
It is one of the most important examples of blue and white porcelain in existence
