Vase with Arabic Inscriptions, 1736–1795. Glass, 10 1/4 x 5 3/8 in. (26 x 13.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Anonymous gift, 47.219.22. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 47.219.22_PS11.jpg)
Vase with Arabic Inscriptions, 1736–1795. Glass, 10 1/4 x 5 3/8 in. (26 x 13.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Anonymous gift, 47.219.22. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 47.219.22.jpg)
Vase with Arabic Inscriptions, 1736–1795. Glass, 10 1/4 x 5 3/8 in. (26 x 13.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Anonymous gift, 47.219.22. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.47.219.22_bottom_bw.jpg)
Vase with Arabic Inscriptions
Asian Art
On View: Asian Galleries, West, 2nd floor (China)
Incised on the body of this vase is a medallion bearing an Arabic inscription with the three Names of God in Islam: Insha’allah (Will of God), Ghudratallah (Power of God), and Ni’mat-allah (Grace of God). Incised on the base of the vase is the mark of the Qianlong emperor. It is thought that this vase was made in the imperial workshops in Beijing for use by Muslims living in the city. Palace workshops for European-style glass were established in 1696 by the Kangxi emperor, the grandfather of the Qianlong emperor, under the supervision of French and German Jesuits who were at the Qing court trying to convert the Chinese to Catholicism. Although the Jesuits’ proselytizing was prohibited by the Qianlong emperor, they continued to be important in introducing European technology to China.
MEDIUM
Glass
DATES
1736–1795
DYNASTY
Qing Dynasty
PERIOD
Qianlong Period
DIMENSIONS
10 1/4 x 5 3/8 in. (26 x 13.7 cm) (show scale)
MARKINGS
Round, white label on base with red type reads "184"
Square, white, lined label on base in pencil reads: "2733" or "273.3" with other characters
INSCRIPTIONS
Arabic inscriptions:
Three of the Names of God:
Insha'allah -- Will of God
Ghudrat-allah -- Power of God (omnipotent)
Ni'mat-allah -- Grace of God.
Translated by: Maryam Ekhtiar
Underneath foot: incised and gilded, a four-character mark "Qianlong nian zhi" (Qianlong period made)
Written in white on base: 1722
Written in red on base: 47.219.22
COLLECTIONS
Asian Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
47.219.22
CREDIT LINE
Anonymous gift
PROVENANCE
Prior to 1947, provenance not yet documented; by 1947, acquired by an anonymous collector; 1947, gift of an anonymous collector to the Brooklyn Museum.
Provenance FAQ
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Vase: bottle shape, with tall neck and flaring lip; on the body are three medallions bearing Arabic inscriptions, cut in sunk relief and picked out with gilding; color: sapphire blue.
Inscription: (underneath foot) incised and gilded, a four-character mark "Qianlong nian zhi)" (Qianlong period made)
Condition: good with no obvious flaws.
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is on view in Asian Galleries, West, 2nd floor (China)
CAPTION
Vase with Arabic Inscriptions, 1736–1795. Glass, 10 1/4 x 5 3/8 in. (26 x 13.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Anonymous gift, 47.219.22. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 47.219.22_PS11.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 47.219.22_PS11.jpg., 2017
"CUR" at the beginning of an image file name means that the image was created by a curatorial staff member. These study images may be digital point-and-shoot photographs, when we don\'t yet have high-quality studio photography, or they may be scans of older negatives, slides, or photographic prints, providing historical documentation of the object.
RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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