Precious Jade and Glittering Gold
Jade and gold are precious materials in death as well as life
In China jade was placed in the burials of important people, used in rituals, and worn.
Prehistoric gold jewellery from the British Isles was buried with people, or put underground or in water as offerings.
In pre-Columbian South America gold adornment displayed status, expressed religious beliefs, and celebrated goldsmiths’ skills.
Bracelet
This was worn by a powerful person. Such bracelets were often placed in hoards – two or more objects found buried or in water – probably as religious offerings.
About 1000–800 BC
Late Bronze Age
Gold alloy
Found in Leinster, Ireland
18.10
Torc
This eye-catching twisted gold neck piece possibly comes from the Law Farm Hoard - 30 objects which were ploughed up in the spring of 1857.
Iron Age
300 BC–AD 50
Gold alloy
Found in Scotland
18.11
Torc
This torc of unusual and rare design has a matching bracelet. People across Europe held these treasures dear.
Late Bronze Age–Early Iron Age
800–700 BC
Gold alloy
Possibly excavated in France
18.12
Bracelet
This bracelet has similar tool marks to those on the matching neck piece, indicating that it was probably made by the same craftsperson. Both items probably came from an important person’s grave.
Late Bronze Age–Early Iron Age,
800–700 BC
Gold alloy
Possibly excavated in France
18.13
Vase
Pan An (247–300) was a popular writer who was thought to be very handsome. Here he is being showered with affection from the women sitting around him.
Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period
1662–1722
Porcelain, underglaze cobalt blue decoration
Made in Jingdezhen, China
38.1027
Vase
By choosing vases and jars decorated in brilliant cobalt blue, different patterns and shapes could be united with this single colour.
Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period
1662–1722
Porcelain, underglaze cobalt blue decoration
Made in Jingdezhen, China
38.1033
Vase
The flowers on this vase celebrate spring. The magnolia and peony flowers and prunus (plum blossom) all represent spring in Chinese art.
Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period
1662–1722
Porcelain, underglaze cobalt blue decoration
Made in Jingdezhen, China
38.1034
Vase (one of a pair)
Sets of vases and jars were assembled in Europe from pairs and single pieces of Chinese porcelain. Later on, these were produced as ready-made sets.
Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period
1662–1722
Porcelain, underglaze cobalt blue decoration
Made in Jingdezhen, China
38.1035
Vase (one of a pair)
Vases and jars could be amassed on top of fireplaces, providing a focal point in a room.
Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period
1662–1722
Porcelain, underglaze cobalt blue decoration
Made in Jingdezhen, China
38.1036
Vase
The Burrell Collection includes 208 Chinese porcelain vases, many of which are blue-and-white. They could decorate the walls of a whole series of rooms.
Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period
1662–1722
Porcelain, underglaze cobalt blue decoration
Made in Jingdezhen, China
38.1037
Vase (one of a pair)
Almost the entire surface of this vase has been covered in cobalt blue painted decoration. This would add colour to an interior.
Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period
1662–1722
Porcelain, underglaze cobalt blue decoration
Made in Jingdezhen, China
38.1039
Vase (one of a pair)
The blue decoration on this vase comes from cobalt. Cobalt is a very strong pigment whose colour develops during the firing.
Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period
1662–1722
Porcelain, underglaze cobalt blue decoration
Made in Jingdezhen, China
38.104O
Vase
This vase is decorated with scrolling lotus flowers. In Chinese Buddhism, the lotus is a symbol of purity, blooming out of the muddy waters it grows in.
Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period
1662–1722
Porcelain, underglaze cobalt blue decoration
Made in Jingdezhen, China
38.1043
Beaker vase
This beaker vase is as wide at the neck as it is at the foot. It had no obvious function but became a popular part of garniture groups.
Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period
1662–1722
Porcelain, underglaze cobalt blue decoration
Made in Jingdezhen, China
38.1045
Jar and cover, part of a group
This jar has a cover. This new shape was created for the European market in the early 1600s.
Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period
1662–1722
Porcelain, underglaze cobalt blue decoration
Made in Jingdezhen, China
38.1049
Jar and cover, part of a group
In the 1600s, those that could afford it bought Chinese porcelain to use for dining and to decorate their homes. New shapes such as covered jars were introduced.
Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period
1662–1722
Porcelain, underglaze cobalt blue decoration
Made in Jingdezhen, China
38.105O
Beaker vase, part of a group
Smaller chimney surrounds with prominent mantelpieces drove the demand for vase garnitures to decorate them.
Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period
1662–1722
Porcelain, underglaze cobalt blue decoration
Made in Jingdezhen, China
38.1051
Jar and cover, part of a group
Grouping jars together was a way of showing how much porcelain you owned. It was a sign of wealth and status.
Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period
1662–1722
Porcelain, underglaze cobalt blue decoration
Made in Jingdezhen, China
38.1072
Jar and cover, part of a group
The Chinese porcelain jars and vases used to create garnitures came in different sizes. Smaller jars such as this one were perfect for narrow shelves or mantelpieces.
Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period
1662–1722
Porcelain, underglaze cobalt blue decoration
Made in Jingdezhen, China
38.1073
Jar and cover, part of a group
Sir William Burrell bought this porcelain jar in 1937, to add to his collection of over 1,000 items of Chinese porcelain.
Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period
1662–1722
Porcelain, underglaze cobalt blue decoration
Made in Jingdezhen, China
38.1074
Jar and cover, part of a group
This jar was made during the reign of the Emperor Kangxi, who ruled China between 1662 and 1722. During this period, Chinese porcelain became popular all over the world.
Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period
1662–1722
Porcelain, underglaze cobalt blue decoration
Made in Jingdezhen, China
38.1075
Vase, one of a pair
The cobalt blue on this vase added extra colour to fashionable interiors. In interiors lit by candles, it added sparkle and theatre.
Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period
1662–1722
Porcelain, underglaze cobalt blue decoration
Made in Jingdezhen, China
38.1329
