20th Century Chinese Porcelain Flambe Urn and (2) Oxblood Vases. Likely early 20th Century, none marked on the undersides. The vases are identical in form with a particularly restrained use of glaze, while the urn is extremely busy both inside and out. 

Largest Size: 7 3/4 x 10 in. 

The uncontrolled “flambe” glaze, as it’s known, has a mottled appearance which mimics flowing fire through high-temperature reduction firing, using the underlying oxblood hue to create swirling, pooling shades of crimson, purple, and lighter blues. The technique originated in ancient China (often referred to as “yao bian” or transmutation glazes) where potters manipulated the kiln’s atmosphere. Because the process required several coats of glaze to achieve the desired looks, many older pieces have survived due to their additional thickness and sturdiness, and scientists and historians continue to study the method to apply it to modern building materials and to learn about the society, economics, and environmental factors of China hundreds (even thousands) of years ago.  

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