Small vase 1798 - 1902

These diminutive vases, standing at just 3 1/2 inches, are a testament to the Chinese potter's mastery of form and glaze. The eye is immediately drawn to their lustrous, deep red glaze, a color achieved through careful control of firing conditions, which gives them a tactile, almost sensual quality. The vases' shape is deceptively simple: a gently swelling body rising to a flared lip, balanced by a similarly flared foot. This hourglass form creates a sense of dynamic equilibrium, a visual rhythm that invites the eye to move up and down their surfaces. What is interesting here is the idea of structure. The vases destabilize the traditional, as they do not have a strong base and a stable upper section. Consider the use of empty space, the void within each vase. This void is not merely an absence but an active element, defining the vase's purpose and interacting with its outer form. The manipulation of space and the precise control of shape and glaze shows the potter's deep understanding of materials and the interplay of form and function.