meiping BM-1972-0621.1

Period:Ming dynasty Production date:1403-1424
Materials:porcelain
Technique:glazed, underglazed,
Subjects:bird,flower
Dimensions:Height: 33.20 centimetres

Description:
Porcelain meiping with underglaze blue decoration. This beautiful meiping has a narrow neck with rolled rim, broad sloping shoulders and sides which taper inwards to the foot. Underglaze blue decoration is divided into three bands. The largest band shows, on one side, a bird looking back over its wing, perched on a flowering prunus branch which grows above bamboo. On the other side another bird is balancing on a branch and pecking at a flower below. A wide band of peony flowers, framed by double blue lines, encircles the foot. A geometric pattern is around the shoulders of the meiping. Its base is unglazed. Originally it would have had a cover.
IMG


Comments:Harrison-Hall 2001:Some of the most exquisite Chinese porcelains painted in underglaze blue were produced at the imperial factory at Jingdezhen during the Yongle emperor’s reign. This meiping demonstrates the fine workmanship of the underglaze decorators. Stylistically the design relates closely to contemporary Ming small-format paintings of birds, insects and plants used to adorn fans and album leaves. Artists employed by the court may have supplied the kiln supervisors with designs to be adapted for decoration on porcelain.