Ewer with Lotus Design

22.524

Ewer with Lotus Design

22.524

Description

The gold mounts on the handle, lid, and spout of this ewer indicate that it had been exported to Europe. Europeans treasured the blue-and-white porcelain of China and ornamented them with gilt metal mounts. The pear-shaped ewer is provided with a looped handle and curving spout. The European mounts on the handle, lid, and spout are chained together and surmounted by peacocks.
The body is decorated with bands of ornamentation. The neck bears a row of chevrons, below that are cloud patterns enclosing upside-down petal shapes with descending blades and lotus blossoms. Ruyi (as you wish) shapes ornament the base. Cloud patterns decorate the handle and curved spout. Two blue rings with lotus petals surround the bottom of the ewer. An underglaze-blue character yu, meaning “jade”, is written at the base of the piece.

Sir Ratan Tata Art Collection

Collection

Chinese Art

Object Type

Vase

Material

Porcelain with underglaze blue decoration and gold mounts on the rim, knob, and handle

Schools/Culture/Period

Jingdezhen production

Technique

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Date

Ming dynasty, Wanli period (1573–1620)

Location

Jiangxi province, China

Dimension

Height 11.1 cm (with pedestal)