Collection Online
Garniture

Garniture
(1680-1700)

Medium
earthenware (tin-glazed)

Measurements
(a) 64.3 × 29.5 × 29.2 cm (vase)
(b-c) 65.1 × 39.1 × 38.6 cm (overall) (covered vase)
(d) 64.6 × 28.9 × 29.5 cm (vase)

Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 2015

Gallery location
17th Century & Flemish Paintings Gallery
Level 2, NGV International

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About this work

The garniture derives from the Chinese concept of a group of vases that were used to decorate formal reception halls and altars. In Europe such garnitures developed rapidly during the late seventeenth century and became essential elements in porcelain rooms, called ‘cabinets’, of royal and aristocratic palaces. This large-scale garniture would have been displayed either on the floor, within a chimneypiece, during the summer months or on top of a table or cabinet-on-stand. Its decoration is inspired by Chinese Ming painting and the bottle forms are particularly interesting, being ultimately of Persian origin.

Artwork Details

Place/s of Execution
the Netherlands

Accession Number
2015.441.a-d

Department
International Decorative Arts

This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited