Blue and White Octagonal Pear-Shaped Vase with Flower Panels, Early Ming Dynasty

PP-0014

Description

A porcelain vase of pear shape, faceted into eight sides from the flared mouth to the foot. The neck is painted with tall plantain leaves above a narrow lattice band, and the shoulder with a ring of lappets enclosing clouds. Between two bands of scrolls, each facet of the body holds a flowering spray, among them a peony and a chrysanthemum, with leafy stems filling the narrower panels. A second ring of lappets enclosing clouds circles the lower body, and a band of leaves runs round the foot. Inside the mouth is a border of scrolls. The blue is dark and slightly blurred, with small pale specks in the heavier strokes, under a glaze with a faint green tint.

The octagonal foot and base are unglazed, the base showing concentric throwing rings and a warm orange tone from the firing. The vase has a break running all the way round the body, though it remains in one piece. We attribute it to the early Ming dynasty.

We can send further photographs on request.