Minneapolis Institute of Art

Ewer

China

Date

16th century

Medium

Porcelain with underglaze blue decoration

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Blue-and-white porcelain directly modeled on Persian and Islamic metalware was produced as early as the Yongle era (1403–25), most likely as diplomatic gifts for central Asian and Middle Eastern rulers. This pear-shaped ewer, with its elongated spout, delicate handle, and slender proportions, while later in date, is likewise inspired by Islamic metalwork. The underglaze blue-and-white decoration however is entirely in Chinese taste. The heart-shaped pictorial panels depict scholars and their attendants in landscape settings. The remaining decoration of flower blossoms, Daoist attributes, and border patterns are also typically Chinese and can be traced back to at least the 14th and early 15th centuries. The ewer is a good example of the adaptation of foreign objects to Chinese aesthetic preferences. Its base contains a four-character inscription in underglaze blue, which reads fu shou k'ang ning, an auspicious mark wishing happiness, longevity, peace, and tranquility for the owner. China

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