The David Vases
至正型青花云龙象耳瓶
A pair of cobalt-blue temple vases dated by inscription to 1351 — the rosetta stone of blue-and-white porcelain. Until Sir Percival David identified these in 1929, scholars wrongly assumed blue-and-white only began in the Ming dynasty.
Object Facts
- Period
- Yuan dynasty, Zhizheng era (1341–1368)
- Date
- dated 1351
- Medium
- Porcelain painted in underglaze cobalt blue (Jingdezhen ware)
- Dimensions
- H. 63.6 cm (each)
- Held by
- The British Museum
London, United Kingdom - Accession
- PDF.B.613-614
The British Museum — Sir Percival David Collection (PDF.B.613–614)
Why it matters
The David Vases single-handedly redrew the chronology of Chinese porcelain. Their dedicatory inscription to a Daoist temple in Yushan, complete with the donor's name and the precise date, proved that Yuan Jingdezhen was already producing fully developed cobalt-painted porcelain — fifty years earlier than anyone had thought.
How it travelled
Removed from the Yushan temple in the Republican era. Acquired in two halves by Sir Percival David in 1927–35 — he matched up the pair himself. His collection went on long-term loan to the British Museum in 2009.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I see The David Vases?+
The David Vases is held by the The British Museum in London, United Kingdom. Accession number PDF.B.613-614. Online catalogue record: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/A_PDF-B-613.
When was The David Vases created?+
The David Vases dates to dated 1351, during the Yuan dynasty, Zhizheng era (1341–1368).
What is The David Vases made of?+
The David Vases is a pair of temple vases executed in porcelain painted in underglaze cobalt blue (jingdezhen ware), measuring H. 63.6 cm (each).
How did The David Vases end up at the British Museum?+
Removed from the Yushan temple in the Republican era. Acquired in two halves by Sir Percival David in 1927–35 — he matched up the pair himself. His collection went on long-term loan to the British Museum in 2009.
Can I reuse the photograph of The David Vases?+
The image is in the public domain and free for any use. Crediting the British Museum is encouraged but not required.
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