{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O33568"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O33568/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2008BT0505/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2008BT0505/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2008BT0505","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O33568/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O33568","accessionNumber":"1581-1876","objectType":"Ewer","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"This ewer (<i>aftaba</i>) was acquired for the Museum in Iran. The shape imitates a South Asian metalware ewer which is usually accompanied by a basin. It was made at the Jingdezhen kilns in south-wast China for export to India or the Middle East, where these ewers and basin sets were used for handwashing. The Hindus were expected to wash their hands before and after meals, while the Koran commands the faithful to wash their hands before prayer. \r\n\r\nIn the 17th century, the ruling courts of India were immensely wealthy. They had collected Chinese blue-and-white porcelain since the Yuan dynasty. While the ewer may have been made for the South Asia market, that it was found in Iran suggests that it may have been purchased by South Asian merchants who were based in Isfahan in the Safavid dynasty.\r\n\r\nThe Chinese blue-painted decoration is typical of the export style found at the end of the seventeeth century indiscriminately applied to wares for the Middle East and Europe.","physicalDescription":"","artistMakerPerson":[],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"porcelain","id":"AAT10662"},{"text":"cobalt blue","id":"AAT13266"}],"techniques":[{"text":"painted","id":"x30138"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Porcelain painted in underglaze blue","categories":[{"text":"Ceramics","id":"THES48982"},{"text":"Porcelain","id":"THES48907"}],"styles":[{"text":"Qing","id":"AAT18478"},{"text":"Blue and white","id":"x43841"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"EAS","id":"THES48596"},"images":["2008BT0505"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"145 (VA)","id":"THES49865"},"free":"","case":"5","shelf":"3","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"EWER","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Jingdezhen","id":"x32230"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1680-1710","earliest":"1680-01-01","latest":"1710-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Diameter","value":"17.8","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Height","value":"28.0","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Purchased from Robert Murdoch Smith, accessioned in 1876. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project.\nObject acquired in Iran, but imitates a South Asian metalware prototype. It may have been made for the South Asia merchants who were based in Isfahan in the Safavid dynasty.","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Porcelain ewer painted in underglaze blue, Jingdezhen, China, Qing dynasty, Kangxi reign, ca. 1680-1710","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"Kerr, Rose and Luisa E. Mengoni <i>Chinese Export Ceramics</i> London: V&A Publishing, 2011.","id":"AUTH321142"},"details":"p.108, pl.154","free":""}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"Chinese ewer with South Asian metalwork shape\r\nChina, Jingdezhen, about 1680-1710\r\nAcquired in Iran\r\nMuseum no. 1581-1876","date":{"text":"July 2009","earliest":"2009-07-01","latest":"2009-07-31"}}],"partNumbers":["1581-1876"],"accessionNumberNum":"1581","accessionNumberPrefix":"","accessionYear":1876,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-11","recordCreationDate":"2000-03-07","availableToBook":false}}