cup BM-1953-0415.2

Period:Ming dynasty Production date:1426-1435
Materials:porcelain, gold, lacquer,
Technique:glazed, lacquered, underglazed,
Subjects:dragon
Dimensions:Diameter: 17 centimetres Height: 17 centimetres

Description:
Porcelain stem cup with underglaze blue decoration. This large stem cup has a bowl with rounded sides and an everted rim. Its stem tapers gently outwards towards the base. Inside it carries a six-character underglaze blue reign mark in a double ring. Outside are five powerful sinewy dragons depicted in dark shades of underglaze blue on a ground of pale blue delineated waves with white crests. The dragons are portrayed in different attitudes, twisting their bodies forwards and backwards among the waves. Four are shown around the outside of the bowl and one prowling around the stem above rocks like magic mountains or the isles of the immortals. The stem is hollow and glazed. The cup is repaired with gold lacquer.
IMG


Comments:Harrison-Hall 2001:An identical example is in the National Palace Museum, Taipei.