Jar

Ceramics
China

Subject/design:

Peafowl among rocks and flowering peonies decoration

Materials:

Porcelain

Technique:

Cloisonné designs and coloured glazes (fahua 法華 ware)

Date:

Ming dynasty (1368-1644)

Size:

Height 37 cm

Place of origin:

China, Jiangxi, imperial kilns of Jingdezhen

Description:

An ovoid porcelain potiche with tapering neck and thickened lip, spreading foot and shallow recessed base. The designs are outlined in applied porcelain cloisons with incised details, and coloured in turquoise, amber-yellow, and white on a ground of deep purplish-blue. Round the sides four peafowl are depicted among rocks and flowering peonies, between a frieze of pendant jewels above and a border of lotus petal panels below; with narrow petal panel border on the shoulder, and cloud motives on the neck. The base is unglazed; the inside is glazed green.

Comments:

The fahua 法華 “enamelled decoration” style is based on cloisonné enamelling on bronze. The designs are outlined in applied porcelain cloisons with incised details, and coloured in turquoise, amber yellow, and white running
alkaline glazes on a deep purplish-blue ground. These cavities are then filled with coloured watery glazes, similar to those found in sancai 三彩, and applied directly on biscuit.

Inventory number:

CB.CC.1949.151

Copyright:

Fondation Baur

Photographer:

Marian Gérard