Description:

This vase uses seven different colours of glass. Molten sticks of coloured glass were applied to the white body of the vase to give patches of different colours on the vase’s surface. This technique is called marquetry. The coloured glass was then carved into the design of fish swimming among water plants, a symbol of abundance. Jade carvers sometimes worked jade in a similar way, using the different colours in the ‘skin’ of the jade pebble to pick out their design.

Glass, carved in relief
Height: 15.9 cm, diameter: 9.8 cm, neck diameter: 4.5 cm
Four-character mark of Qianlong reign period (1736-1795) arranged as on a coin

Creator: Unknown

Date: Qianlong reign period (1736-1795)

Copyright: Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives

Object ID:N4718