Cylindrical bottle vase with floral scrolls and ornamental borders c. 1680 - 1720

This cylindrical bottle vase was created by an anonymous artist, decorated with floral scrolls and ornamental borders. The vase is made from white porcelain, decorated with cobalt blue underglaze. The process of creating porcelain involves a complex interplay of material and skill. It starts with kaolin clay, prized for its purity and ability to vitrify at high temperatures. Once shaped on a wheel, this vase would have been fired at a low temperature, then painted with cobalt oxide. This is one of the few pigments that can withstand the extreme heat of the kiln. A final glaze is applied and the vase is fired at temperatures reaching 1400 degrees Celsius. This transforms the clay into a dense, translucent material, showcasing the vibrant blue decoration beneath the surface. The production of porcelain was a highly specialized industry, and the labor that went into its making was significant. The social context of this vase lies in its purpose as a utilitarian object, elevated through artistry and skill. Appreciating its full meaning requires recognizing the immense labor and technical expertise embedded in the vase.