Arrow Vase

An arrow vase is a type of vessel used for the drinking game "Touhu". Participants attempt to throw arrows into the multiple tubular cylinders attached on the elongated neck. This decorative vase adapts the shape of the arrow vase but was likely not used for games. Reproduction of early porcelains was popular during the mid-to-late Qing dynasty. Fired during the Qianlong reign, the vase imitates Guan ware of the Song dynasty. Contemporary imperial tastes altered the traditional shapes and styles. For example, the crackled glaze typical in Guan wares does not appear on this Qianlong replica because of the Emperor's insistence on perfection. The bluish grey tone of the glaze results from iron-oxide colorants.