Oil Lamp

ClassificationsFurnishings-Lighting-lamps-oil lamps

Date20th Century

MediumEnamel and metal

Dimensions8 1/4 × 21 × 7 in. (21 × 53.3 × 17.8 cm)

Credit LineGift of Anne and Long Shung Shih

Object number2014.9.5

DescriptionOriginally Muslim ware, cloisonné arrived in China through the Mongol army’s expedition to modern day Baghdad, bringing with them enslaved artisans. Through these artisans, the techniques of cloisonné were learned and used by the Chinese. The enamels from the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) were primarily plates, goblets, boxes, and censers. They were very popular as gifts, personal items from the elite, and placed in the imperial palace. The cloisonné of Yangzhou, outside the city center in the Jiangsu province, included similar items such as bottles, jars, censers, and lamps. Many of these were used for decorative purposes with the designs becoming more elaborate in the 20th century.

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