Bottle mid-18th century
Porcelain painted in underglaze copper-red | 38.7 cm (whole object) | RCIN 2392
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A pear-shaped porcelain bottle, with tall, tapering neck and spreading lip; glazed base. Painted in deep red is a four-clawed dragon descending among clouds, its tail curling round the neck, facing a large flaming pearl, with a smaller dragon rising from waves below.
Text adapted from Chinese and Japanese Works of Art in the Collection of Her Majesty The Queen: Volume I.Provenance
Presented to Queen Victoria in 1896 by Li Hongzhang (1823-1901), the Special Chinese Ambassador, on behalf of Guangxu, Emperor of China. The Special Ambassador travelled to the United Kingdom as part of a diplomatic tour (which also included visits to Germany, Canada and the United States) following the coronation of Nicholas II in Moscow where he led the Chinese delegation. He was one of the first appointments of an Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order which had been instituted in April 1896. As well as presenting gifts on behalf of the Chinese emperor (see RCINs 58815.1-2 and 35398.a-c), Li Hongzhang himself also presented gifts to Queen Victoria.
Recorded in the Inventory of Works of Art at Osborne House (1900) in the New Wing Corridor under the title ‘Presents to the Queen from the Emperor of China’ as an ‘Old white porcelain vase embellished with red coloured dragons; bottle shape. Height 15 1∕8 inches. On a circular carved rosewood stand’. Sent to Buckingham Palace in April 1903. The stand has not been identified. -
Creator(s)
(nationality)Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Porcelain painted in underglaze copper-red
Measurements
38.7 cm (whole object)
Category
Object type(s)
