ewer BM-1936-1012.94

Period:Ming dynasty Production date:1426-1435
Materials:porcelain
Technique:glazed, underglazed,
Subjects:makara
Dimensions:Diameter: 4 centimetres (Lid only) Height: 3.70 centimetres (Lid only) Height: 19 centimetres (With lid on) Height: 16.90 centimetres (ewer only) Weight: 0.05 kilograms (Lid only) Weight: 0.65 kilograms (With lid on) Weight: 0.60 kilograms (ewer only) Width: 17.60 centimetres (Spout to handle) Depth: 10.20 centimetres

Description:
Porcelain ewer and cover with underglaze blue decoration. This ewer has a short neck with a dish mouth and an ovoid vase-like body; it stands on a three-tiered stepped foot which is glazed inside. Its spout is in the form of an open-mouthed ‘chi’ dragon, a curlicue strut joining it to the ewer. The dragon’s body extends into broad scroll work around either side of the ewer’s body and neck. The handle is in the form of a ‘makara’ biting at the ewer’s neck with protruding tongue and extended arms; its body and tail are transformed into a flat handle from which scroll work issues forth. The domed cover, which rests inside the neck, has a bud finial and is painted with delicate lappets.
IMG


Comments:Harrison-Hall 2001:A smaller blue-and-white Xuande-marked yandi [water dropper] and cover of a similar form was excavated in 1984 from the Xuande strata at Zhushan, Jingdezhen. Although approximately half the size of the present ewer, it has a similar spout and ‘chi’ dragon handle and is similarly decorated with scrolling bifurcated dragon tails. Shards of another larger related Xuande-marked ewer with a phoenix-head spout were unearthed at Zhushan in 1982.