Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Tubular Lug Vase

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Chinese Cloisonné Enamel 'Arrow' Vase

OwnerOwned by James Cromar Watt (Aberdeen, Scotland, 1862 - 1940)

DateQing Dynasty, Kangxi Period, 1662-1722

Object NameVase

Mediummetal and enamel

ClassificationsApplied Art

DimensionsOverall: Height: 20.6 cm, Diameter: 9.5 cm

AcquisitionJames Cromar Watt Bequest, 1941.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDMS014483

Keywords

About MeCloisonné vase with tubular lugs, sometimes called an arrow vase. It has a compressed globular body and cylindrical neck decorated with flowers and foliage. The bulbous body features lotus sprays of differing inner and outer petal colour.

So-called 'arrow vases', or touhu are believed to have been used for a drinking game. This was usually a contest between two players, who had to throw arrows into the mouth or tubular handles of the vase, which was placed an equal distance between the two mats on which the players knelt. The game of touhu, or pitch-pot, may have started as a much more serious activity. The conduct of the game is described in the Li Ji, Book of Rites, but the Zuo zhuan, Traditions of Zuo, compiled in the latter years of the Zhou dynasty, relates a story in which princes from the States of Jin and Qi used touhu to settle an important political question. In later times it was, however, primarily a ceremonial game played by princes and high-ranking officials at banquets.
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This Chinese vase was produced during the 61-year reign of the Kangxi Emperor, the longest-reigning emperor in Chinese history.