Reference (Ware form):

1.      Liu, Liang-you. “Flask with four handles and underglaze-blue decoration of phoenix amongst flowers from Yuan dynasty” Research of Antique Porcelain, Taipei: Youth Culture, Jan. 1988, p.171.

2.  Liu, Ru-shui. “Figure 3-2: ware form of Yuan dynasty” Appreciation of China, 2nd Ed, Taipei: Shuchuan, Aug. 2004, p.88.

Flask with four handles possessed the most representative traits of ware form in the era of Yuan dynasty. The unparalleled creation rarely appeared in other dynasties. During the period of Yuan dynasty, there were many underglaze-blue and underglaze-red wares from Jingdezhen (Jingde town) in this ware form, and few were produced from Long-quan and Ci-zhou kilns.

The stylish feature of underglaze-blue porcelain in Yuan dynasty created new characteristics of huge body, thick clay, and heavy weight on the basis of heritage from former dynasty.  

Small mouth, curl lip, and slide shoulder formed a ware with flat rectangle body. The decoration shows boldness, nature, and elegance. The front and back of body were painted with underglaze-blue decoration of immortal animal and phoenix amongst lotus scrolls and peony scrolls. The other two sides of ware were adorned with lovely and elegant chrysanthemum. 

Reference (Ware form illustration):

1. Li, Hui-bing. Appraisement Foundations of Chinese Porcelain, Beijing: Forbidden City, 2001, 194-195.

2. Ma, Xi-gui. Chinese Blue and White Porcelain, Shanghai: Shanghai Gu Ji, 1999, 30-32.

Reference (Ware form):

1.Liu, Liang-you. “Flask with four handles and underglaze-blue decoration of phoenix amongst flowers from Yuan dynasty” Research of Antique Porcelain, Taipei: Youth Culture, Jan. 1988, p.171

The inner of bottle ware in Yuan dynasty was unglazed during early and middle periods. This ware applied the same method too.

This ware was jointed and its joint mark can be felt by hands. Uneven wall of external clay body caused by irregular paring. The apparel of everted edge and raised bottom with hollow center was formed by heavy clay body and uneasy firing.

Reference (Clay illustration):

1. Zhang, Pu-sheng. Blue and White Porcelain Appraisement, Beijing: Beijing Library, Jan. 1995, p.49.

Reference (Decoration):

1.Ma, Xi-gui. “Illustration 16: decoration of chrysanthemum scrolls” Chinese Blue and White Porcelain, Shanghai: Shanghai Gu Ji, 1999, p.51.

Chrysanthemum decoration of Yuan dynasty was beautified mostly with single petal and rarely with double petals. It was also embellished with partial coloring, white margins, and pistils in reticular shape or helical shape. The simple taste of chrysanthemum decoration presented smooth lines by civil kilns.

Reference(Decoration illustration):

1. Ma, Xi-gui. Chinese Blue and White Porcelain, Shanghai: Shanghai Gu Ji, 1999, p.51.

2. Li, Hui-bing. “Chrysanthemum decoration” Appraisement Foundations of Chinese Porcelain, Beijing: Forbidden City, 2001, p.204

Reference (Decoration):

1.Ma, Xi-gui. “Figure 60: Gourd-shaped octagonal vase with underglaze-blue decoration of phoenix, leaf, and bugs” Chinese Blue and White Porcelain, Shanghai: Shanghai Gu Ji, 1999, p.55.

Phoenix decoration was one of common decorations of underglaze-blue porcelain in Yuan dynasty. General speaking, phoenix decoration of Yuan dynasty combined traits of chicken head, eagle beak, thin scales on body, and tails of inward curly ending, which presented one to five numbers in feather shape or thick line shape. Phoenix decoration was often painted with decorations of chrysanthemum, peony, or dragon.

Reference(Decoration illustration):

1. Ma, Xi-gui. Chinese Blue and White Porcelain, Shanghai: Shanghai Gu Ji, 1999, 55-56.

Reference (Decoration):

1.Li, Hui-bing. “Figure 291: peony decoration of Yuan dynasty” Appraisement Foundations of Chinese Porcelain, Beijing: Forbidden City, 2001, p.202.

Since Tang dynasty (618-907), peony was regarded as symbol of wealthy social position and flourishing prosperity, so became content of adornment. Peony decoration of underglaze-blue in Yuan dynasty was mostly painted as peony scrolls, which showed wavelike branches, large flower, large leaves, petal rim as white pearl necklace, and petal in hand shape.

Reference(Decoration illustration):

1. Ma, Xi-gui. Chinese Blue and White Porcelain, Shanghai: Shanghai Gu Ji, 1999, p.43.

2. Fu, Zheng-chu. Culture of china, Taipei: Fine Arts Society, 1997, p.227.

This ware had unglazed sand bottom, black iron rust spots, and sand adhesion.   

As a result of heavy clay body and uneasy firing, there were some situations, such as everted edges and raised bottom with hollow center.

Imported pigment, Su-ma-li blue, possessed low amount of manganese and high amount of iron. Underglaze-blue color presented dense blue, black spots, and some yellowish or greenish brown iron rust spots at thick pigment area.

Reference (Pigment illustration):

1. Li, Hui-bing. Appraisement Foundations of Chinese Porcelain, Beijing: Forbidden City, 2001, p.223.

The size of underglaze air bubbles was relative to temperature of kiln and glazing agent. Air bubbles presented large thinly by high temperature, whereas presented small ones closely.

The underglaze air bubbles of this ware distributed thinly and were mixed with large bubbles. Various sizes of air bubbles scattered freely.