Bowl
Object NameBowl
Datec. 1875-1899
OriginChina
MediumCloisonne
Dimensions3 1/2 × 12 in. diameter(8.9 × 30.5 cm)
ClassificationsDecorative Arts, Metal
Credit LineGift of Lois W. Greene Irvine and Alice Jean Irvine Webber. In memory of their father and grandfather, Rev. William Ellsworth Greene. In the permanent collection, Brunnier Art Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
Object numberum90.28
Status
Not on viewCollections
CultureChinese
Label TextWith the exception of a few rare isolated examples, high quality enameling has been developing in China only since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The most predominant enameling technique used by the Chinese to decorate metalwork is "cloisonne." Enamel is powdered glass and pigment mixed with a flux to promote melting. In cloisonne, enamel is placed within small wire cells, providing the artist greater control over the medium, then fired. Although their brilliance of color and gilding never enjoyed widespread popularity in china, cloisonne wares did find admirers among the upper class, some religious institutions and the imperial court, whose patronage endured throughout the Ming Dynasty and later Qing dynasty (1644-1912).
The highly traditional Chinese imagery of this bowl features the dragon with a flaming pearl. Symbolically, the dragon chasing through the clouds after a flaming jewel causes thunder and rain and represents the divine power of cosmic regeneration. The dragons, depicted with five claws, are symbols implying an association with the imperial family.
MarkingsSeal on bottom reads: made in the years of the Ming Dynasty
Locations
- (not entered) Iowa State University, Brunnier Main Storage
Object Name: Vase, double gourd shape
Early 20th century
Object number: 2.2.36
Object Name: Japanese Print
Utagawa Hiroshige
1855
Object number: UM2008.466
