Chinese
Box, early 19th century
Glazed porcelain with enamel and gilding , 5 x 11.5 cm (1 15/16 x 4 1/2 in.)
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Round box made of glazed porcelain with enamel and gilding. The body of the box and the sides of the lid are dark blue and decorated with green leaves, white flowers, and pale blue vines. On top of the box's lid there is a round pink panel inscribed with black Arabic letters. There is a circular band of white that wraps around the pink panel. There is a second circular band that is wrapped around the white band, and it is embellished with the same botanical design that is featured on the sides of the lid.
Yellow Room
Commentary
Probably purchased by Isabella Stewart Gardner during her travels through Asia in 1883-84, these three Islamic vessels were most likely made as ceremonial vessels for a mosque. Although probably created as a set in the 19th century, painted on the base of the incense burner is the stamp of Ta Ming Hsüan-tê nien chih, an Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. During the 19th century, it was not uncommon for Chinese ceramicists to include false dates from the Ming Dynasty on porcelain for foreign buyers.