New photography by Shannon Ruff captured with a digital camera-2006.

Imperial Vase

Artist Unknown

CultureChinese | Ming Dynasty | Wanli Period

Date1572-1620

MediumCeramic

DimensionsOverall: 18 3/4 x 22 1/4 in. (47.6 x 56.5 cm)

Inscribed"Ta Ming Wan Li nien chih" {Made in the Year [Reign] of the Wan Li [Emperor] of the Great Ming [Dynasty]}. Wan Li, 1573-1619.

Credit LineGift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.

Object number71.2585

Collections

Asian Art

On View

Chrysler Museum of Art, Gallery 106

DescriptionThis is a large fish bowl with blue and white koi fish depicted on it. The detail of the eyes, scales, and gills of the fish are clearly visible. This piece also has several types of lotus flowers, lily pads, leaves, and plants positioned around the fish. On the top of the rim of the vessel is a line of small text in kanji characters.
Rim with imperial reign mark reading “Da Ming Wanlinian zhi” (Made during the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty)
Label TextImperial Vase Chinese, Ming Dynasty, Wanli Period, 1572–1620 c.e. Ceramic Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 71.2585 Lively carp swim among lotus leaves in a continuous band around this ceramic vase. With their legendary desire for riches, carp symbolize happiness and opulence—themes suggested by the vase’s enormous size and its sumptuous cobalt blue underglaze. The characters on the rim of the vase read, “Da Ming Wanlinian zhi,” or “Made during the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty.”