Chinese
Vase, early 19th century
Glazed porcelain with enamel and gilding, 14 x 8.5 cm (5 1/2 x 3 3/8 in.)
Tall-necked vase made of glazed porcelain with enamel and gilding. The body and neck of the vase are dark blue and decorated with green leaves, white flowers, and pale blue vines. On opposite sides of the body of the vase there are two pink panels with raised black Arabic letters. The lip of the vase features three separate rows of decorative designs. The row closest to the top of the vase depicts blue interlocking triangles with black stripes, and the row second closest to the top of the vase has a motif of alternating dark and light green leaves in an upright position. The row furthest from the top of the vase contains a red and white meander pattern. The base of the object also displays two distinct rows of embellishments. The row closest to the bottom of the vase contains white interlocking triangles with red stripes, and the other row at the base depicts a geometric pattern of pale blue diamonds outlined in black.
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.