moon-flask BM-1968-0422.29

Period:Ming dynasty Production date:1403-1424
Materials:porcelain
Technique:glazed, underglazed,

Dimensions:Height: 25 centimetres Length: 4.50 centimetres (of base) Width: 6 centimetres (of base) Width: 15 centimetres

Description:
Porcelain Bianhu moon flask with underglaze blue decoration. This bianhu moon flask has a round body with domed front and back faces and flat sides. The narrow neck bulges out in the centre and tapers in towards the mouth; side handles come out of the narrowest part of the neck and join the flask at the shoulders in petal-shaped terminals. The flask stands on an oval foot ring and the base is glazed. It is decorated with a stylized flower on either side, resembling a pattern made by a kaleidoscope, and has a thin band of flowers around the neck.
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Comments:Harrison-Hall 2001:Bianhu of this type were also made in the Yongle era in plain white porcelain at Jingdezhen without a foot ring. In the Xuande era they were produced with square foot rings, shorter handles and less exaggerated necks. In 1982 a Xuande example was excavated at Zhushan, Jingdezhen. Yongle examples may be far rarer than Xuande ones. Often Xuande flasks of this type also carry a reign mark at the neck. Two Xuande mark and period bianhu are in the Ardebil shrine. Another is in the Indianapolis Museum of Art. The shape of this flask derives from Syrian metal work. At least a dozen unmarked bianhu flasks of this type survive in major public collections including a smaller version in the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Stockholm.