Meiping vase; China, Qing dynasty, 19th century.

Meiping vase; China, Qing dynasty, nineteenth century.
Celadon porcelain with incised decoration.
Measurements: 22.5 x 12.5 x 12.5 cm.
The "meiping" shape means apricot or plum vase, as it traditionally contained apricot branches, and is distinguished by its narrow base and mouth and wide body. Meiping were first made by the Tang dynasty (618-907), originally used as a container for wine, and then became, in the Song dynasty, a floral vase (960-1279).
Under the Qing, inherited art forms flourished and innovations at many levels and of many types took place. High levels of literacy, a successful publishing industry, thriving cities, and a Confucian emphasis on cultivation nurtured a lively and creative set of cultural fields. During this period, the European tendency to imitate Chinese artistic traditions, known as chinoiserie, also gained great popularity in Europe due to increased trade with China and the broader current of Orientalism.