Rectangular Vase Illustrating Poems by Tao Qian and Su Shi

Chinese Qing Dynasty

National Gallery of Art

This is a vase with a rectangular center and a flared top and base. Each side of the vase is adorned with detailed artwork. One side prominently displays a scene of a river landscape, complete with green foliage, a flowing waterfall, and birds in flight against a yellow sky. A boat floats on the water, surrounded by trees and rocks. Another side of the square body of the vase includes a pale green panel filled with what appear to be Chinese characters. The top and base of the vase appear to have similar scenes of nature surrounded by geometric patterns in green and black. The edges of the vase are decorated with white borders.