Artwork
Covered wine pot or teapot
Covered wine pot or teapot is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1696 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The object is a blue-and-white ceramic vessel, featuring a lid and two handles.
About this work
Overview
The object is a blue-and-white ceramic vessel, featuring a lid and two handles. Its glaze presents a deep, glossy cobalt background over which white motifs are painted, including winding vines, avian forms, and a diminutive figure clutching a scroll.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure appears to be a youthful male, a motif frequently employed in decorative arts of the period to convey innocence or scholarly pursuits. The inclusion of birds and foliage complements traditional symbolic associations with nature and harmony.
Technique & Style
The piece exemplifies the classic Chinese underglaze blue technique, where cobalt pigment is applied before a transparent glaze is fired, yielding the characteristic contrast of white design on a dark surface. The intricate line work reflects the high level of craftsmanship typical of the era's porcelain production.
History & Provenance
While specific provenance details are not recorded, the style aligns with Chinese ceramic traditions that flourished during the Ming and early Qing dynasties, when blue-and-white wares were widely exported and highly prized.
Context
Such vessels were commonly used in daily life, serving both functional and decorative purposes. The presence of a scroll‑holding figure suggests a cultural appreciation for literature and education, themes often celebrated in household objects of the time.
Artist & collection
Small wine pot or teapot
Small covered winepot or teapot (see also 1975.1.1710 and 1975.1.1712)
Covered wine pot or teapot
Small covered wine pot or teapot (similar to 1975.1.15-17)
Small covered winepot or teapot (similar to 1975.1.1714-16)
Teapot (a) and saucer (b)
Covered Cup and Saucer
Plum Branch and Teapot
Cup and saucer