Reticulated Box

Kangxi period, 1662/1722

Chinese Qing Dynasty

Associated Names
This is a highly decorated circular object with a flat top and bottom, resting on a short cylindrical base. The surface is ornately decorated with glazed patterns, including flowers and lattice work, interspersed with figures with light skin and dark hair wearing long flowing robes in shades of orange, brown, blue, and green. These figures appear framed within hexagonal yellow grids, each surrounded by green geometric patterns and floral elements painted in a palette of blue, green, yellow, orange, and earthy brown tones. The figures are engaged in different activities, some interacting with flowers or food, and some playing games. The spaces within the hexagonal grids are empty, showing through to the dark interior of the object and giving the appearance of honeycomb. A small white seam runs horizontally around the object, suggesting that it may open. The base of the vessel shows a combination of green and black with a wave-like scroll pattern.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    porcelain with famille jaune enamels on the biscuit

  • Credit Line

    Widener Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 26.2 x 24.9 cm (10 5/16 x 9 13/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1942.9.568


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

George R. Davies, Cheshire, England. (Gorer, London); (Dreicer and Co., New York, agents of Gorer, London); sold 1913 to Peter A. B. Widener, Lynnewood Hall, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania; inheritance from Estate of Peter A. B. Widener by gift through power of appointment of Joseph E. Widener, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania; gift 1942 to NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1911

  • Gorer/Blacker 1911, 1:pl. 62.

1942

  • Works of Art from the Widener Collection. Foreword by David Finley and John Walker. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1942: 23.

1947

  • Christensen, Erwin O. Chinese Porcelains of the Widener Collection. Washington, 1947 (rev. ed. 1956): 16.

1998

  • Bower, Virginia, Josephine Hadley Knapp, Stephen Little, and Robert Wilson Torchia. Decorative Arts, Part II: Far Eastern Ceramics and Paintings; Persian and Indian Rugs and Carpets. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. Washington, D.C., 1998: 174-175, color repro.

Wikidata ID

Q62268573

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