TriArte - Temple Vase

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Bookmark: http://triarte.brynmawr.edu/objects-1/info/189653

Unknown Artist

Temple Vase

Cloisonne enamel on metal

Bryn Mawr College

Accession Number: W.719

W.1036 (Wyndham No.)

Deanery.104 (Deanery Number)

Geography: Asia, China

Classification: Containers and Vessels; Vessels; Vases

Culture/Nationality: Chinese

Collection: Deanery Collection

This vase is one of a pair acquired by M. Carey Thomas, the first dean and second president of the college, to adorn her campus home, the Deanery. The other is located in the Adelaide Neall Room. It consists of a footed base, body, and collar decorated with geometric and floral designs executed in a technique called cloisonné. In cloisonné decoration, small metal wires are soldered to a metal object creating compartments (cloisons in French), which are then filled with different colors of enamel. The enamel on this vase is primarily in tones of ivory, blue, rose, and green. The majority of the piece is decorated in abstract and floating floral designs on a colored background, yet a small section on the body appears to represent a landscape with several trees and flowers on a brown ground line. The acquisition of this piece by Thomas is consistent with the late-19th century interest in Chinese design as the economic and political relations between America and China changed and highly desirable Chinese goods became more widely available.

Keywords Click a term to view the records with the same keyword

This object has the following keywords:

Chinese*, cloisonné*, vases*

Chinese - The cultures, styles, and periods characteristic of China. To specifically refer to the cultures of ancient Chine, use "Ancient Chinese."
cloisonné - A technique of enameling in which the design is laid down in thin metal strips on a metal or porcelain ground, forming chambers (cloisons) to receive the vitreous enamel pastes.
vases - Vessels of varying shape and size but which are usually taller than they are wide, varying greatly in actual form and use. In modern usage, typically refers to vessels for displaying flowers. When referring to ancient art, often refers to any ceramic or metal vessel in a range of shapes and used to hold liquids, grain, or another substance.

Exhibition List

This object was included in the following exhibitions:

The Deanery Remembered Bryn Mawr College , 5/1/1985 - 5/29/1985

Bibliography List

The following Bibliography exist for this object:

Manufacturers' Appraisal Company, 1949 Manufacturers' Appraisal. 1949
Page Number: 22
Manufacturers' Appraisal Company, 1954 Manufacturers' Appraisal. 1954
Page Number: 29
Beatrice Quette, Cloisonné Bard Graduate Center. New York, NY, 2011

Related Object(s) Click a record to view

Chinese Cloisonné Temple Vase
W.720

Portfolio List Click a portfolio name to view all the objects in that portfolio

This object is a member of the following portfolios:

Deanery Collection

If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=BMC>cite web |url=http://triarte.brynmawr.edu/objects-1/info/189653 |title=Temple Vase |author=Bryn Mawr College Library Special Collections |accessdate=4/10/2021 |publisher=Bryn Mawr College</ref>

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