A Chinese small gilt vase with Arabic inscription, trumpet neck and oviform body; 15 cm high, Qing Dynasty
Provenance: The Property of a Gentleman. From a Private English Collection.
Similar vases are known, presumably as a result of the wealthy status of Muslim communities in cities like Xi'an in Shaanxi Province. Compare, for example, a small brass vase in the Metropolitan Museum collection (07.205.1) with two Arabic inscriptions, reading: 'Glory To Allah' and 'Praise Be To Allah'. As Persian cobalt travelled eastwards on its journey to Jingdezhen, so of course Chinese ceramics also began to record a connection with the Islamic and Arab world (see for instance the Zhengde mark and period, blue and white vase offered by Christie's Hong Kong, Lot 3825 on 1-6-2011). Other blue and white porcelains with cursive Arabic script, also appeared during the Zhengde reign. Sometimes, these designs were highly distinctive; see for example the five peaked mountain brush rest (British Museum/Franks.147.b), and the pair of spherical hat stands (British Museum/Franks.265+).