Faceted vase with morning glory decoration in underglaze blue, Ming dynasty, Xuande reign, 1426-1435-China Archive

Image Number: K1B016788N000000000PAB
Dynasty: Ming dynasty
Category: Ceramics
Function: Container
Material: Mineral/ceramic/porcelain
Description:
The lip edge is slightly extravagant, the long neck is square, the upper and lower eight corners of the abdomen are all cut 45 degrees, showing a multi-faceted shape, and the feet are closed down and turned outward. The head and ears of a dragon are decorated on both sides of the neck. From the neck to the abdomen, blue and white flowers are used to draw the flower pattern of morning glory, and a string pattern is painted along the mouth and foot. Blue and white flowers are very colorful, iron brown crystal spots appear at the accumulated glaze, and the white glaze turns blue. The fetal bone is slightly thick, and the sole edge of the foot is exposed. The white and delicate fetal color can be seen. Although this piece has not been signed, it is always regarded as a masterpiece of Xuande period. The folding square vase was used as a flower utensil in the imperial court. The “vase flower picture” painted by Lang Shining in the Qing Dynasty witnessed this function. The official kilns of the Yongqian and Qianlong dynasties were also imitated one after another.