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The David VasesThe David Vases © The Trustees of the British Museum/Art Resource, NY

The David Vases

Yuan Dynasty, China. 1351 C.E. White porcelain with cobalt-blue underglaze.

Curator Note

"The birth of "Blue and White." These vases are the "Rosetta Stone" of Chinese porcelain because they have a specific date written on the neck (1351). Created under Mongol rule, they combine Chinese clay, Iranian blue pigment, and Mongol taste, revolutionizing global ceramics forever."

Form

  • Material: Kaolin clay (porcelain) fired at high temp.
  • Glaze: Cobalt-blue underglaze (from Iran) with clear overglaze.
  • Shape: Bronze altar vessel shape (elephant-head handles).
  • Technique: Wheel-thrown in sections and luted together.
  • Condition: Excellent, though handles have some wear.

Function

  • Religious: Dedicated to a Daoist temple in honor of a general who became a god.
  • Offering: Praying for peace and protection.
  • Dating Tool: The inscription provides the exact date (May 13, 1351).
  • Display: Intended for an altar, not for flowers.
  • Status: High-quality commission.

Content

  • Dragons: 5-clawed dragons (imperial symbol, though commoner used here).
  • Phoenixes: Flying amidst clouds.
  • Inscription: Long dedication by Zhang Wenjin.
  • Motifs: Peonies, banana leaves, waves.
  • Handles: Elephant heads holding rings.

Context

  • Yuan Dynasty: Mongol rule (Kublai Khan) opened trade (Pax Mongolica).
  • Global Trade: Cobalt came from Persia; Porcelain went to Europe/Middle East.
  • Jingdezhen: The "Porcelain Capital" where these were made.
  • Sir Percival David: The collector who bought them (reunited the pair).
  • Impact: Led to Ming vases and eventually Delftware/Willow pattern.