Period:Ming dynasty Production date:1590-1620 (circa)
Materials:porcelain, silver,
Technique:glazed, underglazed,
Subjects:bird amphibian
Dimensions:Height: 16.50 centimetres Length: 15 centimetres (maximum)
Description:
Porcelain kendi in the form of a toad with underglaze blue deocration and a silver mount. This kendi [pouring vessel] is moulded in the form of a crouching toad with a raised neck. It has a hole at its mouth for pouring and a spout, repaired with a metal rim, emerging from its back for filling. The texture of the toad’s skin is suggested by tiny dark blue dots in a light blue wash and it is also adorned by simple flowers with five petals and a ‘ruyi’ head. Its under-belly is left white. The spout is painted with a bird perched on a prunus branch. The base is flat and unglazed.
IMG
![图片[1]-kendi BM-1948-0415.1-China Archive](https://chinaarchive.net/Ming dynasty/Ceramics/mid_00265160_001.jpg)
![图片[2]-kendi BM-1948-0415.1-China Archive](https://chinaarchive.net/Ming dynasty/Ceramics/mid_00359468_001.jpg)
Comments:Harrison-Hall 2001:The toad is a symbol of longevity, as it can live to a considerable age. According to legend, Chang-E, who stole the elixir of immortality from her husband and fled to the moon, was turned into a toad. Containers for liquids in the form of toads have been popular in China since early times and were made, for example, in ceramic at the Yue kilns during the third and fourth centuries AD.Blue-and-white toad-shaped kendi were exported from China to the Middle East, South-east Asia and Europe in the late sixteenth or early seventeenth century. This is evidenced by their presence in the collections of the Sultans of Turkey in the Topkapi Saray Museum in Istanbul1 and those of the Shahs of Iran in the Ardebil shrine, now in the Iran Bastan Museum, Teheran. Other examples have been found in the Philippines, and indeed this British Museum example was acquired in India by Lady Bradford. Blue-and-white porcelain kendi in the form of elephants and ducks were also made in the Wanli era and were exported to Europe. For example, an elephant-shaped kendi was recovered from the Witte Leeuw, a Dutch ship which sank in 1613. Another toad kendi is in the Princessehof Museum, Netherlands. A further toad-shaped example, with a faceted spout, is in the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, London.
Materials:porcelain, silver,
Technique:glazed, underglazed,
Subjects:bird amphibian
Dimensions:Height: 16.50 centimetres Length: 15 centimetres (maximum)
Description:
Porcelain kendi in the form of a toad with underglaze blue deocration and a silver mount. This kendi [pouring vessel] is moulded in the form of a crouching toad with a raised neck. It has a hole at its mouth for pouring and a spout, repaired with a metal rim, emerging from its back for filling. The texture of the toad’s skin is suggested by tiny dark blue dots in a light blue wash and it is also adorned by simple flowers with five petals and a ‘ruyi’ head. Its under-belly is left white. The spout is painted with a bird perched on a prunus branch. The base is flat and unglazed.
IMG
Comments:Harrison-Hall 2001:The toad is a symbol of longevity, as it can live to a considerable age. According to legend, Chang-E, who stole the elixir of immortality from her husband and fled to the moon, was turned into a toad. Containers for liquids in the form of toads have been popular in China since early times and were made, for example, in ceramic at the Yue kilns during the third and fourth centuries AD.Blue-and-white toad-shaped kendi were exported from China to the Middle East, South-east Asia and Europe in the late sixteenth or early seventeenth century. This is evidenced by their presence in the collections of the Sultans of Turkey in the Topkapi Saray Museum in Istanbul1 and those of the Shahs of Iran in the Ardebil shrine, now in the Iran Bastan Museum, Teheran. Other examples have been found in the Philippines, and indeed this British Museum example was acquired in India by Lady Bradford. Blue-and-white porcelain kendi in the form of elephants and ducks were also made in the Wanli era and were exported to Europe. For example, an elephant-shaped kendi was recovered from the Witte Leeuw, a Dutch ship which sank in 1613. Another toad kendi is in the Princessehof Museum, Netherlands. A further toad-shaped example, with a faceted spout, is in the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, London.
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