Who painted Very Old Shidei ware - Chinese?

Very Old Shidei ware - Chinese was painted by Unknown in 1877.

Where can I see Very Old Shidei ware - Chinese?

Very Old Shidei ware - Chinese is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Very Old Shidei ware - Chinese?

Very Old Shidei ware - Chinese is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Very Old Shidei ware - Chinese

Unknown , 1877

Very Old Shidei ware - Chinese is a paint painting by the Impressionist artist Unknown. It dates from 1877 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

The work is a painted representation of a Chinese Shidei ware teapot, rendered in a brown glaze with a simple spout, two curved handles, and a lid. Light purple floral motifs climb the dark background, suggesting a vine motif. The inscription at the bottom identifies the piece as a "Very Old Shidei ware - Chinese" and indicates it may be a decorative copy of an actual ceramic form.

Subject & Meaning

The image focuses on a utilitarian teapot transformed into a decorative object, its modest shape emphasized by the delicate, climbing flowers. The contrast between the muted brown surface and the vivid purple blossoms creates a visual tension that highlights the elegance of everyday objects in Chinese decorative tradition.

Technique & Style

Executed in pigment on a painted surface, the composition employs a limited palette of brown, dark branches and soft purple florals. The brushwork is restrained, with the floral forms rendered in a stylized, almost linear fashion that echoes traditional Chinese brush painting while adapting it to a three‑dimensional object.

History & Provenance

The piece is attributed to an unknown maker and dated to 1877. It entered the collection in 1905, acquired from Miss Mary Dresser as part of a group of objects catalogued D.397–541‑1905. Prior to that, it had been owned by the designer Christopher Dresser, whose interest in East Asian decorative arts is well documented.

Context

Shidei ware refers to a type of Chinese stoneware known for its robust forms and subtle glaze. By the late nineteenth century, such objects were often reproduced in painted form for Western collectors, reflecting the period's fascination with Oriental aesthetics and the exchange of decorative motifs across cultures.