Tankard with peony scrolls in underglaze blue, Ming dynasty, Xuande reign (1426-1435)-China Archive

Image Number: K1B008424N000000000PAF
Dynasty: Ming dynasty
Category: Ceramics
Function: water vessels
Material: Mineral/ceramic/porcelain
Description:
This utensil has a straight mouth, a long neck, a plump abdomen, and a slightly concave bottom. One side is connected with a broad handle, which spans between the neck and abdomen. The shape of the utensil is the so-called “flower pouring”, “water pouring” or “holding pot”. The shape of this kind of utensil should come from other places. There are many similar silver, copper and pottery in Western Asia, which are often used by Muslims to clean hands or water flowers. The surface of this utensil is blue and white with a white background, but the bottom is unglazed, exposing the earth. There is a circle of dot patterns on the edge of the mouth, a circle of lotus petal patterns on the neck and abdomen, a circle of lotus petal patterns on the upper and lower sides of the neck, a circle of intertwining peony patterns between the two lotus petal patterns on the abdomen, and a circle of vine patterns on the handle, decorated layer by layer from top to bottom. It is worth noting that the blue and white patterns on the surface of the ware appear “bleeding”, that is, the cobalt blue glaze is not finely ground and can not be completely burned in the kiln, so the formation of particle like small green spots is a common feature of Xuande blue and white