Minneapolis Institute of Art

Pear-shaped vase

China

Date

early 14th century

Medium

Porcelaneous stoneware with underglaze cobalt blue décor

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

The subject of a craze that has lasted for centuries, China’s signature blue-and-white porcelain resulted from a significant technical breakthrough during the 14th century. This pear-shaped bottle ( ping ) was made near the beginning of this tradition. Encircling the body of the vase is a spiky, three-clawed dragon painted in underglaze cobalt blue. To depict the dragon, cobalt blue designs were painted onto the white porcelain body and then bonded under a clear glaze. Asia

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