Ewer with Lotus Design
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)