Search results

Start typing

An ovoid-shaped Chinese Ming period porcelain jar painted in rich blue around the sides with two five-clawed dragons among clouds and with rocks and waves below. Round the shoulder a stylised shou (long life character) seems to grow out of the lotus scrol
East Meets West

Extraordinary Chinese and Japanese Works of Art in the Royal Collection

JAPAN [ASIA]

Pair of mounted bowls

late 17th to early 18th century: mounts, late 18th century

RCIN 3154

This spectacular bowl was made by building up many very thin layers of lacquer (the resin of a tree found only in Asia) on a thin wooden base. The lacquer is decorated with herons and plants against a background of gold flakes known as nashiji. Objects of such high quality were not made for the export market and so this bowl may have reached the West through the private trading of officers in the East India Company.

It was not uncommon for mounts to be added to objects of this kind when they arrived in Europe. In many cases French dealers were content simply to transform an Eastern object into a Western form, or even to invent Chinese-style motifs. However, here the designer appears to have carefully adopted the oriental style of overlapping layers of clouds or petals for the mounts.


    The income from your ticket contributes directly to The Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity. The aims of The Royal Collection Trust are the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and the promotion of access and enjoyment through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational activities.