Description:

On the base of this vase is a six-character mark of the Qianlong emperor and the Chinese character for Heaven, tian. One of the names for an emperor in China was ‘Son of Heaven’ as people believed that emperors ruled the world on behalf of Heaven. This shows a close relationship with the imperial palace workshops.

The blue layer of glass is carved in a pattern copying imperial porcelain of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Throughout the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) educated people admired the shapes and designs of Ming ceramics and copies of Ming ceramics were popular in the imperial palace.

Glass, carved overlay
Height: 11.0 cm, diameter: 5.7 cm, neck diameter: 1.9 cm
Six-character mark of Qianlong (1736-1795) with character tian.

Chinese Description:

玻璃葫芦瓶 中国，清乾隆朝(1736-1795) 这只葫芦瓶的底部刻有「大清乾隆年制」及「天」字。古代皇帝又称为「天子」，意谓皇帝乃上天派来管治人间的代理人，显见玻璃制作与清廷的密切关系。 刻有「大清乾隆年制」及「天」字 玻璃，套料雕刻

Creator: Unknown

Date: Qianlong reign period (1736-1795)

Copyright: Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives

Object ID:N4554