The Barlow Collection
A select catalogue of the Barlow collection of Chinese Ceramics, Bronzes and Jades by the University of Sussex (published Sussex, 2006).
Publications online: 456 objects
Bowl with two carp
- loan
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Literature notes
This bowl shape, in Chinese called mantou xin (‘dumpling centre’), as well as the design of three copper-red carp both originated in the early Ming dynasty (1368–1644) and were revived in the Yongzheng period. For various prototypes of the Xuande period (1426–1435) of similar shape and similar design see Catalogue of the Special Exhibition of Selected Hsüan-te Imperial Porcelains of the Ming Dynasty, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1998, cat.nos 81, 87, 99, 121, 122.
The wide rounded bowls have a domed centre and a corresponding concave base, the lowest part of the sides being left unglazed to serve as footring. The pieces are painted on the outside with three carp in underglaze copper-red, all finely rendered in darker outlines and a paler wash, with scales and fins clearly visible and the head structured through lines scraped through the red down to the white. One bowl is of somewhat patchy, but bright red colour, the other is misfired a very dark red. The bases are inscribed with six-character Yongzheng reign marks in underglaze blue in double rings. -
Details
- Associated place
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Asia › China › Jiangxi province › Jingdezhen › Jingdezhen kilns (place of creation)
- Associated people
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Yongzheng, Emperor of China (ruled 1723 - 1735) (named on object)
- Material and technique
- porcelain, thrown, with incised decoration scratched through underglaze painting in copper-red; base, with inscription in underglaze painting in cobalt-blue
- Dimensions
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5.2 cm (height)
15 cm (diameter)
- Material index
- Technique index
- Object type index
- No. of items
- 1
- Credit line
- Lent by the Sir Alan Barlow Collection Trust.
- Accession no.
- LI1301.121.1
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Further reading
University of Sussex, and Arts and Humanities Research Council, The Barlow Collection, supervised by Regina Krahl, Maurice Howard, and Aiden Leeves (Sussex: University of Sussex, 2006), no. C95
Glossary (2)
porcelain, underglaze painting
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porcelain
Ceramic material composed of kaolin, quartz, and feldspar which is fired to a temperature of c.1350-1400⁰c. The resulting ceramic is vitreous, translucent, and white in colour.
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underglaze painting
Painting applied to ceramic material before a transparent, or monochrome or coloured glaze for Islamic objects, is applied. The technique was initially developed in China.
Location
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- currently in research collection
Objects are sometimes moved to a different location. Our object location data is usually updated on a monthly basis. Contact the Jameel Study Centre if you are planning to visit the museum to see a particular object on display, or would like to arrange an appointment to see an object in our reserve collections.
Publications online
-
The Barlow Collection
This bowl shape, in Chinese called mantou xin (‘dumpling centre’), as well as the design of three copper-red carp both originated in the early Ming dynasty (1368–1644) and were revived in the Yongzheng period. For various prototypes of the Xuande period (1426–1435) of similar shape and similar design see Catalogue of the Special Exhibition of Selected Hsüan-te Imperial Porcelains of the Ming Dynasty, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1998, cat.nos 81, 87, 99, 121, 122.
The wide rounded bowls have a domed centre and a corresponding concave base, the lowest part of the sides being left unglazed to serve as footring. The pieces are painted on the outside with three carp in underglaze copper-red, all finely rendered in darker outlines and a paler wash, with scales and fins clearly visible and the head structured through lines scraped through the red down to the white. One bowl is of somewhat patchy, but bright red colour, the other is misfired a very dark red. The bases are inscribed with six-character Yongzheng reign marks in underglaze blue in double rings.
Notice
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