Skip to main content
Pistol-Handled Covered Urn - Image 1
Pistol-Handled Covered Urn - Image 2
Pistol-Handled Covered Urn - Image 3
Pistol-Handled Covered Urn - Image 4
Pistol-Handled Covered Urn - Image 5
Pistol-Handled Covered Urn - Image 6
Pistol-Handled Covered Urn - Image 7
Pistol-Handled Covered Urn - Image 8
Pistol-Handled Covered Urn - Image 9

Jingdezhen kilns

Pistol-Handled Covered Urn

1794-1804

Thumbnail 1
Thumbnail 2
Thumbnail 3
Thumbnail 4
Thumbnail 5
Thumbnail 6
Thumbnail 7
Thumbnail 8
Thumbnail 9
Scroll

Jingdezhen kilns

Pistol-Handled Covered Urn

1794-1804

Physical Qualities Porcelain with overglaze enamel and gilding, 16 in. (40.6 cm.) H
Credit Line Gift of Laetitia M. Snow
Object Number 1949.57
The Chinese exported large numbers of urns with handles shaped like pistol grips. Made in the Jingdezhen kilns, the bold form first found favor with Swedish customers, then gradually spread elsewhere. Since the Federal era, such urns have been popular with American buyers. While the pistol-grip handles are distinctive, the vases could be decorated in endless variety. Here, an idyllic Western landscape, executed in sepia enamel and probably based upon a print source, is bracketed by floral swags that recall the inlaid bellflowers on Federal furniture.
AMW Reinstallation 2014

American Wing Rotations 2020

American Wing Rotations 2021

American Wing Rotations 2022

American Wing Rotations 2023

American Wing Rotations 2024

American Wing Rotations 2025

Kiln

Jingdezhen kilns

2000–2000

Meet Jingdezhen →

Explore the Collection Further

Jingdezhen kilns
Hot Water Serving Dish Decorated with Orange Fitzhugh Pattern
1789–1839
Pistol-Handled Covered Urn
1774–1784
Jingdezhen kilns
Meat Platter Decorated with Orange Fitzhugh Pattern
1789–1839
Pistol-Handled Covered Urn
1774–1784
Jingdezhen kilns
Small Platter Decorated with Orange Fitzhugh Pattern
1789–1839
Jingdezhen kilns
Pistol-Handled Covered Urn with Landscape Medallion
1794–1804
Jingdezhen kilns
Large Platter Decorated with Orange Fitzhugh Pattern
1789–1839
Covered Urn Decorated with Applied Figures
908–1099
Jingdezhen kilns
Covered Serving Dish Decorated with Orange Fitzhugh Pattern
1789–1839
Covered Urn Decorated with the Animals of the Four Directions
908–999
Jingdezhen kilns
Covered Serving Dish Decorated with Orange Fitzhugh Pattern
1789–1839
Covered Hot Water Urn
1792