ˇ@

BW-06033 Large flask with underglaze-blue decoration of clouds and dragon.

Ming dynasty (1368-1644), Unmarked.

Mouth diameter: 8cm, Height: 46.2cm, Foot diameter: 12cm, Interior foot height: 0.5cm, Weight: 6215g.
This ware has been cleansed with Oxalic Acid to remove dirt and viscidities to restore its original luster for collection and preservation.

ˇ@

Reference (ware form):

1.      National Palace Museum. ˇ§Flask with underglaze-blue decoration of clouds and dragon from Xuan-de reign of Ming dynastyˇ¨ The National Palace Museum Monthly of Chinese Art No.83, Vol. 7, Issue 11. Taipei: National Palace Museum, Feb.1990, p.71.

2.      Xiong Liao. ˇ§Figure 30: Flask with underglaze-blue decoration of clouds and dragonˇ¨ Gems of the Official Kilns, Shandong: Fine art, Jan. 2005, p.37.

3.      Artist Reference Book Committee. ˇ§Large flask with underglaze-blue decoration of clouds and dragon from Xuan-de kilnˇ¨ Chinese Ceramics, Ming Dynasty, Taipei: Artist, 1983, p.121.

4.  Li, Hui-bing. ˇ§Figure 309: Flask with underglaze-blue decoration of clouds and dragon from Xuan-de reign of Ming dynastyˇ¨ Appraisement Foundations of Chinese Porcelain, Beijing: Forbidden City, 2001, p.207.

The flask had long straight neck, flared mouth, flat round body, and short foot ring.  

Floral decoration was painted on the neck, and body was drawn with three-claw dragon lively among clouds.  

Dense blue color was slightly diffused and natural iron rust spots were embedded into clay in thick pigment area. 

Bluish white glaze presented sleek brightness and thick glaze showed vividness.

Reference (ware form):

1.      National Palace Museum. ˇ§Flask with underglaze-blue decoration of clouds and dragon from Xuan-de reign of Ming dynastyˇ¨ The National Palace Museum Monthly of Chinese Art No.83, Vol. 7, Issue 11. Taipei: National Palace Museum, Feb.1990, p.71.

2.      National Palace Museum. ˇ§Dragon decorations of Yong-le and Xuan-de periodsˇ¨ The National Palace Museum Monthly of Chinese Art No.53, Vol. 5, Issue 5. Taipei: National Palace Museum, Aug.1987, p.80.

3.      Xiong Liao. ˇ§Figure 30: Flask with underglaze-blue decoration of clouds and dragonˇ¨ Gems of the Official Kilns, Shandong: Fine art, Jan. 2005, p.37.

4.      Artist Reference Book Committee. ˇ§Large flask with underglaze-blue decoration of clouds and dragon from Xuan-de kilnˇ¨ Chinese Ceramics, Ming Dynasty, Taipei: Artist, 1983, p.121.

5.  Li, Hui-bing. ˇ§Figure 309: Flask with underglaze-blue decoration of clouds and dragon from Xuan-de reign of Ming dynastyˇ¨ Appraisement Foundations of Chinese Porcelain, Beijing: Forbidden City, 2001, p.207.

Dragon decoration in Yuan dynasty (1279-1368) had features of lanky neck and slender body. Dragon decoration during Yong-le and Xuan-de periods in Ming dynasty (1368-1644) was characterized by grossness, vigorousness, horizontal or vertical hair, and stout claws with three to five nails.  

There were many features of dragon decoration on this ware body, comprising backward head, upward nose, open mouth, outreaching tongue, upright hair in wave shape, and strong feet with three claws. There was a fire band in front of chest, and scaly body showed fierceness.   

Reference:

1. Ma, Xi-gui. Chinese Blue and White Porcelain, Shanghai: Shanghai Gu Ji, 1999, p.85, 126.

2. Li, Hui-bing. Appraisement Foundations of Chinese Porcelain, Beijing: Forbidden City, 2001, p.206.

Imported pigment was called Su-ma-li blue or Su-ni-po blue. In volume three of Pottery written by Zhu Yan, it mentioned that ˇ§Imperial Porcelains made in Yong-le and Xuan-de periods were still highly valued to date. At that time, the most frequent produce was sweet white porcelains with orange peel effect. The most used pigment was Su-ma-li blue. The most precious porcelain was bright red porcelain.ˇ¨  

White clay was decorated before coating a layer of thin glaze and appeared dense color with diffusion after high-temperature firing. In thick pigment area, there were blackish brown iron rust spots with sliver reflection and uneven surface by side view.   

Reference:

1. Ma, Xi-gui. Chinese Blue and White Porcelain, Shanghai: Shanghai Gu Ji, 1999, p.84-85, 137.

2. Liao, Pao-show. Catalogue of the Special Exhibition of Selected Hsuan-te Imperial Porcelains of the Ming Dynasty, Taipei: National Palace Museum, 1998, 14-15.

3. Yang Jia-luo. ˇ§Volume three of Potteryˇ¨ A record of Ceramics, Vol. 1, Taipei: World Bookstore, 1974, p.109.

Well refined clay in Ming dynasty (1368-1644) demonstrated exquisite quality and white clay with hardness. There were flint red and iron spots at unglazed area owing to few iron composition in clay after firing. Ware bottom was full glazed and showed slight crackling. 

Reference:

1. Liu, Ru-shui. Appreciation of China, 2nd Ed, Taipei: Shuchuan, Aug. 2004, p.5-6, 118.

Imported pigment, Su-ma-li blue, contained high amount of iron and low amount of manganese, so underglaze-blue presented gorgeous and bright blue after firing. There were yellowish and greenish brown iron rust spots at thick pigment area, where was sunken by side vision and reflected silver color on the surface.

Reference:

1. Liu, Ru-shui. Appreciation of China, 2nd Ed, Taipei: Shuchuan, Aug. 2004, p.236.

Thick glaze was concentrated and showed clear sleekness.  Various underglaze air bubbles presented translucent brightness.

Imperial clay or Ma-cang clay was refined delicately. The breaking of rough sand in clay reduced, so detailed clay performed clear white and fewer impurities after firing. 

Reference:

1. Ma, Xi-gui. Chinese Blue and White Porcelain, Shanghai: Shanghai Gu Ji, 1999, p.84, 107-108.