Chinese porcelain vases can be easily identified by their unique refined sculpture, subtle texture and vibrant colours. The unique recognizable features of the Chinese vases went through many changes of the techniques which were used for manufacturing them. In fact, the main distinction between the vases can be made based on the dynasty they origin from. Therefrom we can say that the vase that origins from certain dynasty bears the main advancements in the firing techniques, clays and glazes.
The shape of the Chinese vases is another characteristic that reflects their time of origin. You can learn to distinguish the vases by their shape. We've made a simple beginner's guide where the vases are categorized by the dynasty they come from. The main aim of our guide is to help you understand the basic features of the vases and with that to be able to distinguish them.
Song Dynasty (960–1271 AD)
These vases were called “plum vases” due to the fact that their shape was considered as the most suitable for holding a plum branch. The main features for which this vase can be distinguished are narrow mouth, broad shoulders, small neck and tall body.
The Yuhuchunping features slightly flared rim, short foot ring, bottom-heavy body and straight neck. This type of Chinese vases were mainly used for holding holy water. Also, in the later period people started using this vase as a wine vessel.
Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368 AD)
This vase is well known representative of the Yuan Dynasty. The origins of this shape date back to the early Bronze Age. The main characteristics of these Chinese vases include: flaring mouth, splayed foot, a slender, and stem-like body.
Ming Dynasty (1368–1644 AD)
The tianqiuping 'globular' vase is representative of the Ming Dynasty since it was the period when people first began to make this shape. What characterizes these porcelain vases is: straight neck, small mouth, globular body and concave bottom base.
Qing Dynasty (1644–1911 AD)
One of the main representative of Chinese vase shapes of the Qing Dynasty is the Bangchuiping; 'Rouleau' Vase, this vase shape features specific cylindrical body, high neck, flat shoulders. The term Bangchuiping means 'wooden club'.
Yongzheng (1723–1735 AD)
These Chinese vases were named after the Begonia flower, a pattern that is often present in many aspects of the Chinese decorative art. Concave neck, low flaring foot, floral rim standing are the main features of this vase shape
Qianlong (1736–1795 AD
The Bailuzan vases were accessible only to the people from rich class. These vases were made of fine porcelain. Vases that had the Bailuzan shape were also described by the term “Hundred Deer” vase, which was describing the picture painted on the surface of the porcelain vase.
We have represented the most important Chinese vases that represent each dynasty. We hope that we've helped you to understand the main characteristic of the vases coming from certain period. If you are antique lover and if you are on the look for porcelain Chinese vases, you can take into account the aforementioned features to make the best choice for you.
The shape of the Chinese vases is another characteristic that reflects their time of origin. You can learn to distinguish the vases by their shape. We've made a simple beginner's guide where the vases are categorized by the dynasty they come from. The main aim of our guide is to help you understand the basic features of the vases and with that to be able to distinguish them.
Song Dynasty (960–1271 AD)
- Meiping; ‘Plum' Vase
These vases were called “plum vases” due to the fact that their shape was considered as the most suitable for holding a plum branch. The main features for which this vase can be distinguished are narrow mouth, broad shoulders, small neck and tall body.
- Yuhuchunping; ‘Pear-Shaped' Vase
The Yuhuchunping features slightly flared rim, short foot ring, bottom-heavy body and straight neck. This type of Chinese vases were mainly used for holding holy water. Also, in the later period people started using this vase as a wine vessel.
Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368 AD)
- Gu Vase; 'Beaker' Vase; 'Flaring' Vase
This vase is well known representative of the Yuan Dynasty. The origins of this shape date back to the early Bronze Age. The main characteristics of these Chinese vases include: flaring mouth, splayed foot, a slender, and stem-like body.
Ming Dynasty (1368–1644 AD)
- Tianqiuping; 'Globular' Vase
The tianqiuping 'globular' vase is representative of the Ming Dynasty since it was the period when people first began to make this shape. What characterizes these porcelain vases is: straight neck, small mouth, globular body and concave bottom base.
Qing Dynasty (1644–1911 AD)
- Bangchuiping; 'Rouleau' Vase
One of the main representative of Chinese vase shapes of the Qing Dynasty is the Bangchuiping; 'Rouleau' Vase, this vase shape features specific cylindrical body, high neck, flat shoulders. The term Bangchuiping means 'wooden club'.
Yongzheng (1723–1735 AD)
- Haitangzun; 'Lobed' Vase; 'Begonia-Shaped' Vase
These Chinese vases were named after the Begonia flower, a pattern that is often present in many aspects of the Chinese decorative art. Concave neck, low flaring foot, floral rim standing are the main features of this vase shape
Qianlong (1736–1795 AD
- Bailuzun; Niutouzun; 'Hundred Deer' Vase
The Bailuzan vases were accessible only to the people from rich class. These vases were made of fine porcelain. Vases that had the Bailuzan shape were also described by the term “Hundred Deer” vase, which was describing the picture painted on the surface of the porcelain vase.
We have represented the most important Chinese vases that represent each dynasty. We hope that we've helped you to understand the main characteristic of the vases coming from certain period. If you are antique lover and if you are on the look for porcelain Chinese vases, you can take into account the aforementioned features to make the best choice for you.