Minneapolis Institute of Art

Moon flask

China

Date

1723–35

Medium

Porcelain with blue and white underglaze

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

This elegant moon flask exemplifies the refinement of Qing dynasty porcelain under the Yongzheng Emperor. Its delicate cobalt-blue decoration features a bird perched on a flowering plum branch, with bamboo and floral motifs symbolizing endurance and renewal. The graceful, flattened form—derived from Middle Eastern metal flasks—demonstrates the fusion of Chinese artistry and global influence. The balanced composition and soft blue palette reflect the Yongzheng court’s preference for understated sophistication, precision, and technical mastery. Such works embody the height of Jingdezhen craftsmanship and imperial taste in early 18th-century China. Asia

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