Images(8)

Vase

Object number2023.108.1 a-d

MediumCeramic; Glaze; Wood

Credit LineGift of Charles C. Lee, Cleveland, Ohio

DescriptionPair of complementary large glazed ceramic vases with white clay ground. Slightly squat, spherical body narrows to cylindrical neck that flares outward slightly at top and base. Circular opening at top of neck and foot on base. Neck and top half of body have light gray background with repeated designs of polychrome stylized clouds (white, blue, pink, and green) and red stylized flames. Bottom half of body has gray-green water and wave design with black and white details. Red-orange and gold dragon with black eyes wraps around vase and breathes fire into the body of water where four red-orange koi fish swim. Recessed underside within the foot is white. Vases each have circular dark brown wooden base. Walls curl upward and have carved curvilinear openwork around the perimeter. Footed base is circular and underside has two concentric circles incised around center.DimensionsHeight x Diameter (a-b together): 22.375 x 16 in. (56.8 x 40.6 cm)
Height x Diameter (a): 20.875 x 16 in. (53 x 40.6 cm)
Height x Diameter (b): 2.625 x 10.75 in. (6.7 x 27.3 cm)
Height x Diameter (c-d together): 22 x 16 in. (55.9 x 40.6 cm)
Height x Diameter (c): 20.875 x 16 in. (53 x 40.6 cm)
Height x Diameter (d): 2.375 x 11 in. (6 x 27.9 cm)
Historical NotesA pair of antique Chinese vases from the home of Charles Lee in Cleveland, Ohio. Charles was the eldest son of Git Lee who operated a general store in the Chinatown neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Charles moved to Cleveland as it seemed a good location to start his own Asian artware store that would not interfere with his father’s business. Charles Lee, was born in 1919 in a small farming village in the province of Canton China. He was the eldest child of the family. Like many other families during this time in this area of China, his father, Git Lee, lived in the United States and sent money to his wife, Lew Shee, in the village. In late 1929 Lew Shee and 10-year-old Charles came to the United States. They arrived at the Angel Island Immigration Station in the San Francisco Bay, in January 1930. At the station, Lew Shee was confined in the women's compound and Charles was confined in the men's compound where they were interrogated for four months. Complications during the interrogation process made their confinement period longer than usual. In May 1930 the family was finally reunited in Pittsburgh. Charles told his son that despite being schooled in his home village, he was placed two grades lower in the public school he attended because of his English language barrier. Being the eldest of eight children, he assisted his siblings growing up in American society and helped them, in some small way, to maintain an appreciation for their Chinese heritage. The family grew up in Pittsburgh Chinatown where their father operated a store that sold Chinese food stuffs, medicines, and various gift items. Charles acquired an early taste for business watching his father operate his store. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Economics, and began his job search for a position in American corporations, he quickly discovered that his ethnicity became a large impediment for him to obtain meaningful employment. He began his graduate studies before finally obtaining a position at the Goodyear Rubber Company in Akron. At the end of WWII, he resigned his job at Goodyear Rubber and used his Chinese background to join the U.S. effort in the reconstruction of China. During 1946-1947, he worked in the reconstruction effort as an interpreter in Shanghai. Being a person with Chinese language and writing skills; and being an American college graduate with English language skills, he was very suitable for the assignment in Shanghai. Around this time, he began to develop a plan to open a business in importing and selling Asian artware. Shortly after he returned to Pittsburgh, he married and moved to New York City so he could learn from a contact he had in the import business. By 1952, he opened his store in Cleveland dealing in the import and sale of Asian artware. He operated his Asian artware business for more than 20 years. During that period of importing pieces for sale in his store, he also acquired pieces of art for display in his home.

Previous owner Charles Lee (born 1919)

Related person Git Lee

Related person Lew Shee Lee

Related institution University of Pittsburgh

Subjects