Vase. China, Jingdezhen Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), Kangxi era (1662 - 1722). Porcelain Collection. PO 3069. Porcelain, decorated with black glaze over "mirror black" in gold. H. 44.3 cm, D. 20.2 cm © Dresden State Art Collections

In European literature can the term "black mirror" on the letters of the French Jesuits Dentrecolles François-Xavier (1664 - 1741) from 1712 and 1722 lead. He attended the Chinese porcelain factory in Jingdezhen, describing the production and composition of the glaze.According to him, it is in "mirror black" - porcelain to objects that are immersed in a "transparent black" glaze, which has a high proportion of "blue color" and are often provided later with gold paint. The Chinese name wu jin (Black Bronze) refers to the main component of the glaze, the so-called Bronze earth with a share of 13.4 percent iron oxide, which was not added manganese and cobalt. The color of the temperature-sensitive glaze can range from a deep black to a golden brown. Although "mirror black" - similar glazes since the Northern Song Dynasty (960 - 1126) were used, only began in the early 18th Century, they also apply to porcelain. Pieces decorated with gold paint, which gives them an especially valued in Europe, varnish-like aesthetic - as already noticed Dentrecolles, "mirror black" were. Nowadays, this can often only guess, since only are remnants of gold paint visible and in places where the overglaze is gone, remains only a shimmering oily residue. The body of the slim lidded with cantilevered lid is decorated with flowering branches in leaves and fruit-shaped image segments. The painting of the cover is defaced, but decorative zigzag bands the foot, shoulder and lid rim decorated can be reconstructed.

Vase. China, Jingdezhen, Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), Kangxi era (1662 - 1722). Porcelain Collection. PO 7891. Over decorated porcelain, black glaze "mirror black" in gold. H. 27,5 cm, D. 11,9 cm © Dresden State Art Collections

Covered vase. China, Jingdezhen, Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), Kangxi era (1662 - 1722). Porcelain Collection. PO 7887. Over decorated porcelain, black glaze "mirror black" in gold. H. 47 cm, D. 21,4 cm © Dresden State Art Collections

Covered vase. China, Jingdezhen, Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), Kangxi era (1662 - 1722). Porcelain Collection. PO 7888. Over decorated porcelain, black glaze "mirror black" in gold. H. 47 cm, D. 21 cm © Dresden State Art Collections

Vase. China, Jingdezhen, Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), Kangxi era (1662 - 1722). Porcelain Collection. PO 3071. Over decorated porcelain, black glaze "mirror black" in gold. H. 44.4 cm, D. 20.2 cm © Dresden State Art Collections

Covered vase. China, Jingdezhen, Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), Kangxi era (1662 - 1722). Porcelain Collection. PO 3064. Porcelain, decorated with black glaze over "mirror black" in gold. H. 46.7 cm, D. 20.6 © Dresden State Art Collections 2013

Vase. China, Jingdezhen Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), Kangxi era (1662 - 1722). Porcelain Collection. PO 3065. Porcelain, decorated with black glaze over "mirror black" in gold and iron red. H. 42.3 cm, D. 20.8 cm © Dresden State Art Collections 

Vase. China, Jingdezhen Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), Kangxi era (1662 - 1722). Porcelain Collection. PO 3066. Porcelain, decorated with black glaze over "mirror black" in gold and iron red. H. 42.7 cm, D. 20.2 cm © Dresden State Art Collections

Vase. China, Jingdezhen, Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), Kangxi era (1662 - 1722). Porcelain Collection. PO 3067. Porcelain, decorated with black glaze over "mirror black" in gold. H. 43.6 cm, D. 20.4 cm © Dresden State Art Collections © Dresden State Art Collections

Vase. China, Jingdezhen, Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), Kangxi era (1662 - 1722). Porcelain Collection. PO 3068. Porcelain, decorated with black glaze over "mirror black" in gold. H. 44.6 cm, D. 20 cm © Dresden State Art Collections

Plate. China, Jingdezhen, Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), Kangxi era (1662 - 1722). Porcelain Collection. PO 3077. Porcelain, decorated with black glaze over "mirror black" in gold. H. 3.8 cm, D. 21.9 cm © Dresden State Art Collections

Plate. China, Jingdezhen, Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), Kangxi era (1662 - 1722). Porcelain Collection. PO 3076. Porcelain, decorated with black glaze over "mirror black" in gold. H. 4 cm, D. 22,1 cm © Dresden State Art Collections

Covered jar. China, Jingdezhen, Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), Kangxi era (1662 - 1722). Porcelain Collection. PO 3073. Porcelain, decorated with black glaze over "mirror black" in gold. H. 27.1 cm, D. 12.1 cm © Dresden State Art Collections

Covered jar. China, Jingdezhen, Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), Kangxi era (1662 - 1722). Porcelain Collection. PO 3074. Porcelain, decorated with black glaze over "mirror black" in gold. H. 25,9 cm, D. 12,0 cm © Dresden State Art Collections

Plate. China, Jingdezhen, Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), Kangxi era (1662 - 1722). Porcelain Collection. PO 3079. Porcelain, decorated with black glaze over "mirror black" in gold. H. 3,8 cm, D. 22 cm © Dresden State Art Collections

Vase. China, Jingdezhen, Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), Kangxi era (1662 - 1722). Porcelain Collection. PO 3070. Porcelain, decorated with black glaze over "mirror black" in gold. H. 43.2 cm, D. 20,7 cm © Dresden State Art Collections

Vase. China, Jingdezhen, Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), Kangxi era (1662 - 1722). Porcelain Collection. PO 3072. Porcelain, decorated with black glaze over "mirror black" in gold. H. 44,6 cm, D. 20,4 cm © Dresden State Art Collections

Covered jar. China, Jingdezhen, Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), Kangxi era (1662 - 1722). Porcelain Collection. PO 7889. Porcelain, decorated with black glaze over "mirror black" in gold. H. 26,1 cm, D. 12,5 cm © Dresden State Art Collections

Vase. China, Jingdezhen, Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), Kangxi era (1662 - 1722). Porcelain Collection.  PO 7890. Over decorated porcelain, black glaze "mirror black" in gold. H. 26.2 cm, D. 11.7 cm © Dresden State Art Collections

Vase. China, Jingdezhen, Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), Kangxi era (1662 - 1722). Porcelain Collection.  PO 7893. Over decorated porcelain, black glaze "mirror black" in gold. H. 26,4 cm, D. 11,4 cm © Dresden State Art Collections

Vase. China, Jingdezhen, Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), Kangxi era (1662 - 1722). Porcelain Collection. PO 7893. Over decorated porcelain, black glaze "mirror black" in gold. H. 22,6 cm, D. 11,5 cm © Dresden State Art Collections

Vase. China, Jingdezhen, Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), Kangxi era (1662 - 1722). Porcelain Collection. PO 7894. Over decorated porcelain, black glaze "mirror black" in gold. H. 22,1 cm, D. 11,6 cm © Dresden State Art Collections