The David Vases

Summary

In 1351, two vases and an incense burner were dedicated to a Daoist temple in China, inscribed with the donor's name, date, and purpose. These vases, now known as the David Vases, are housed in the British Museum and exemplify blue and white porcelain, a product of the Mongol Empire's global interactions. The vases, featuring a dragon motif and floral designs, were made from Iranian cobalt and Chinese clay, fired at high temperatures for a lustrous finish. Despite their age, they are in remarkably good condition, providing insight into the Yuan Dynasty's porcelain craftsmanship.

Takeaways

• 🗓️ On May 13th, 1351, two vases and an incense burner were dedicated to a Daoist temple in China, inscribed with the donor's name, date, and purpose.
• 🏺 The vases are now known as the David Vases, named after Sir Percival David, who collected them and reunited the pair.
• 🎨 The vases are examples of blue and white porcelain, a type of ceramic known for its lustrous finish and made from pure clay.
• 🌐 The term 'porcelain' originates from the Venetian explorer Marco Polo, who likened its appearance to the inside of a seashell, similar to the Italian word for cowry shell.
• 🌍 The vases were created during a time when China was part of the Mongol Empire, which stretched from China to Eastern Europe, indicating a global influence on their design.
• 🖌️ The blue color on the porcelain comes from cobalt, a mineral sourced from present-day Iran, highlighting the international trade and cultural exchange of the period.
• 🔥 The porcelain was fired at high temperatures, giving it a glass-like quality that distinguishes it from other ceramics.
• 🐉 The vases feature motifs typical of Chinese ceramics, including dragons, phoenixes, and floral patterns, symbolizing power and prosperity.
• 🔍 The vases help to date the origin of blue and white porcelain to the Yuan Dynasty, earlier than the Ming dynasty, challenging common perceptions of its history.
• 🐘 The handles of the vases are designed as elephants, possibly inspired by bronze ware, with break marks indicating the original presence of rings hanging from the trunks.

Q & A

What items were dedicated to a Daoist temple in China on May 13th, 1351?

Two vases and an incense burner were dedicated to a Daoist temple in China on May 13th, 1351.

Why were these items dedicated to the temple?

The items were offered to the temple in honor of a General who had recently been made a God.

What is unique about the historical information provided by the inscriptions on the vases?

The inscriptions on the vases provide specific information including the exact day of the dedication, which is rare in historical records.

Who is Sir Percival David and how are the vases named after him?

Sir Percival David was a collector who purchased the vases and amassed an amazing collection of Chinese ceramics. The vases are known as the David Vases after him.

What type of porcelain are the David Vases made of?

The David Vases are made of blue and white porcelain, which is a lustrous ceramic made from a very pure kind of clay.

Where does the word 'porcelain' originate from?

The word 'porcelain' originates from the Venetian explorer Marco Polo, who thought the hard white surface of porcelain looked like the inside of a seashell, similar to the Italian word for a cowry shell.

What was the political context of China in 1351?

In 1351, China was part of the vast Mongol Empire, also known as the Yuan Dynasty, which stretched from China in the east to what we think of today as Eastern Europe.

What is the source of the blue color in blue and white porcelain?

The blue color in blue and white porcelain comes from a mineral called Cobalt, which was sourced from what is present-day Iran.

How was the blue and white porcelain produced?

The cobalt was painted onto the white porcelain, which was made from pure clay, then the entire piece was covered with a clear glaze and fired at a very high temperature.

What technological advantage did the Chinese have in producing porcelain?

The Chinese had kilns that were technologically far advanced compared to anything in the west or even the near east, allowing them to produce high-quality porcelain.

What do the motifs on the David Vases represent?

The David Vases are covered with motifs typical for Chinese ceramics, most prominently a great dragon at the shoulder, a vine and floral motif around the base and top, and a phoenix on the neck of the vase.

What is the significance of the inscription on the David Vases?

The inscription on the David Vases helps date the porcelain to the Yuan Dynasty and specifically to May 13th, providing a historical context for the vases.