bottle BM-1947-0712.212

Period:Ming dynasty Production date:1522-1566
Materials:porcelain
Technique:glazed, underglazed,
Subjects:mammal bird symbol amphibian fruit landscape the three friends of winter
Dimensions:Diameter: 23 centimetres (maximum) Height: 44.50 centimetres

Description:
Double gourd-shaped bottle with underglaze blue decoration. This bottle is modelled in the form of a double gourd with a larger lower and smaller upper bulb standing on a high gently flared foot and with a narrow cylindrical neck and waist. Emblems of longevity, such as the lingzhi fungus, the crane, the peach, the character ‘shou’ [long life] and the deer, and symbols of good fortune, such as the wart-backed toad, are painted together with the Three Friends of Winter (pine, bamboo and prunus) in a vivid underglaze blue. The neck and foot are further decorated with scrolls. On the base is a six-character Jiajing reign mark.
IMG


Comments:Harrison-Hall 2001:Another slightly larger (height 45.7 cm) double gourd of this type is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.