Description:

The orange glass in this vase is designed to look like the mineral realgar (arsenic sulphide). In the past people in China believed that realgar was good for health. They drank small amounts of it diluted in drinks. A vase that looked like realgar might be considered lucky.

Glass, facet-cut
Height: 14.1 cm, diameter: 7.7 cm, neck diameter: 1.4 cm
Four-character mark of Qianlong reign (1736-1795) in double-outlined square

Creator: Unknown

Date: Qianlong reign period (1736-1795)

Copyright: Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives

Object ID:N4528