Imperial Qing Porcelain with Engraved Blue Silk Ground (錦地藍地) and Famille Rose Decoration: An Ensemble of Four Vessels

Author: Nona Dronova, D.Sc., Professor
ORCID: 0009-0007-4867-9074

Abstract

This paper examines an ensemble of four porcelain vessels produced for the Qing imperial court during the Qianlong reign (1736–1795). All objects share a rare decorative technique: a deep cobalt-blue enamel ground with hand-incised spiral patterns resembling silk textile (jin di 錦地), combined with overglaze famille rose (粉彩) enamels. The group consists of:

1. A double-gourd vase (hu lu ping),

2. A vase with applied red dragon (long wen ping),

3. A bottle-shaped vase with bird and peony motif,

4. A quatrefoil flower vessel on feet (sifang zhan).

Microscopic and instrumental analysis confirms that the blue ground is a lead-alkaline glass enamel colored with cobalt of European origin (smalt), containing arsenic, applied as an overglaze layer and subsequently engraved. Colorimetric measurements of the sapphire-blue ground yield the following coordinates: RGB (82, 104, 173); HSV (225.5°, 52.6%, 67.8%); L45.2, a+12.0, b–39.5, C41.2, h°287°**, corresponding to a deep ultramarine-sapphire hue. Comparative study with documented examples in the Palace Museum (Beijing) and National Palace Museum (Taipei), as well as with scientific publications, supports attribution to imperial workshops of the Qianlong period.

Provenance

• China, Jingdezhen kilns or Beijing Imperial Workshops

• Qing dynasty, Qianlong reign (1736–1795)

Materials and Technique

• Fine high-fired porcelain body

• Overglaze cobalt-blue lead-alkaline enamel ground with hand-incised spiral decoration (jin di)

• Multicolored famille rose (粉彩) enamels, including gold-derived pink pigment

• Turquoise enamel applied to bases

• Six-character seal marks Da Qing Qianlong Nian Zhi (大清乾隆年製) in underglaze cobalt

Description of the Ensemble

1. Double-Gourd Vase (Hu lu ping)

   • Decoration: Peonies, pomegranates, chrysanthemums

   • Symbolism: longevity, fertility, prosperity

2. Vase with Applied Red Dragon (Long wen ping)

   • Decoration: Molded red dragon in relief among peonies

   • Symbolism: imperial authority, fire element

3. Bottle Vase with Bird and Peonies

   • Decoration: Bird in flight, peony branches

   • Symbolism: wealth and harmony

4. Quatrefoil Flower Vessel on Feet (Sifang zhan)

   • Decoration: Wisteria branches, birds, peonies

   • Symbolism: scholarly refinement, auspicious garden scene

Microscopic and Instrumental Analysis

• Incised ground: Fine spiral patterns hand-carved into the blue enamel, excluding mechanical stamping.

• Surface features: Microbubbles within the blue enamel indicate lead-alkaline glass composition.

• Colorimetry of blue ground:

  • RGB: (82, 104, 173)

  • HSV: Hue 225.5°, Saturation 52.6%, Value 67.8%

  • CIELab: L* 45.2, a* +12.0, b* –39.5, C* 41.2, h° 287°

• Spectroscopic interpretation: The results correspond to cobalt-based smalt enamel, consistent with findings in Qing famille rose wares.

• Scientific parallels: Raman spectroscopy in previous studies identified cobalt arsenates in similar blue enamels; Prussian blue was excluded by the absence of its characteristic spectral peak (~2150 cm⁻¹).

Comparisons

• Palace Museum, Beijing: Famille rose vessels with engraved blue grounds, including a documented brush pot dated 1792 with inscription.

• National Palace Museum, Taipei: Catalogued pieces described with terms 錦地 (brocade ground) and 錦上添花 (brocade with added flowers).

• Christie’s Auctions (2021): Blue-ground famille rose vases with floral scrolls, Qianlong seal mark.

• Victoria & Albert Museum: Famille rose vases with incised spiral silk-like grounds.

Attribution and Dating

Based on decorative style, enamel composition, engraved background, and comparative museum examples, the ensemble is attributed to the Qianlong reign, ca. 1740–1780. Likely produced as an imperial commission, possibly in the Beijing palace workshops.

Conclusion

The ensemble of four porcelain vessels demonstrates the use of a distinctive decorative technique—engraved sapphire-blue enamel ground (jin di) combined with famille rose enamels—developed for the Qing imperial court during the Qianlong period. Instrumental data confirm that the blue enamel derives from cobalt smalt of European origin, integrated into a lead-alkaline glass matrix. Comparative evidence and stylistic analysis support attribution to imperial workshops. These objects contribute to the understanding of material exchanges between Europe and China and the technical sophistication of Qing dynasty enamel decoration.

References

• Colomban, P. (2022). Cobalt used in the blue decoration of Qing dynasty ceramics: from underglaze blue to overglaze blue enamel. Heritage, 5(3), 1921–1938. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage5030101

• Colomban, P., et al. (2020). Investigation of the pigments and glassy matrix of painted enamels and overglaze porcelains of the Qing dynasty using Raman and XRF. Heritage, 3(4), 1205–1220.

• Giannini, M., Freestone, I., & Shortland, A. (2017). European cobalt sources identified in Chinese famille rose porcelain enamels by LA-ICP-MS. Journal of Archaeological Science, 80, 27–36.

• National Palace Museum (Taipei). 錦上添花話洋彩 [Brocade Ground and Yangcai Decoration], exhibition materials.

• Palace Museum, Beijing. Catalogue of Qing Dynasty Porcelain in the Collection of the Palace Museum. Beijing: The Forbidden City Publishing House.

• Hou, X., Yin, W., Zhao, Y., & Zhang, B. (2021). Microstructural and compositional analysis of Qing dynasty porcelain enamels. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 49, 230–240.