Accession Number
2005/1.461A&B

Title
Blue-and-White Carafe with royal monogram and bat motifs

Artist(s)
Jingdezhen Kiln

Object Creation Date
circa 1874

Medium & Support
porcelain with blue underglaze painting

Dimensions
12 3/8 in x 5 1/2 in x 5 1/2 in (31.5 cm x 14 cm x 14 cm);12 3/8 in x 5 1/2 in x 5 1/2 in (31.5 cm x 14 cm x 14 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Doris Duke's Southeast Asian Art Collection

Label copy
March 28, 2009
Blue-and-white Chinese porcelains such as this carafe were created in China, possibly in Jingdezhen area, during the reign of King Rama V (1868–1910) for the Thai court or noblemen. They often include inscriptions along with motifs and repetitive patterns of the highly stylized initials of Rama V, as seen in the geometric designs here. The inscription in the medallions indicates the year 1236, which translates to 1874 in the Western calendar. The bat motif above the pair of medallions is a popular design in China because the pronunciation of the character for bat (fu) is identical to that for blessing.
(Label for UMMA South and Southest Asia Gallery Opening Rotation, March 2009)

Subject matter
Blue-and-white ceramics in Chinese style such as this were created in China (possibly Jingdezhen, the center of Chinese ceramic production) during the reign of King Rama V (1868-1910) and used by members of the royal family. They were decorated in a variety of patterns and includes inscriptions along with motifs, and repetitive patterns of the highly stylized initials of Rama V. The bat motif is traditionally a popular design in China, because the pronunciation of the character for “bat” (fu) is identical to that for “blessing.”

Physical Description
It is a porcelain carafe with blue underglazing, with design of stylized acronym of King Rama V of Thailand (1868-1910), his name and reign in medallions with bat motifs and ribbons, and flower and leaf scrolls.

Primary Object Classification
Ceramic

Primary Object Type
bottle

Additional Object Classification(s)
Decorative Arts

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.