Description
This bottle shaped vase, categorized as a garlic-headed vase (suantou ping), is painted with outline and wash underglaze cobalt blue on white porcelain. The vase has a low round body, heavily sloped shoulders and tall neck which transitions smoothly into the garlic-shaped bulb. A circular rimmed mouth opens at the top of the bulged neck. It may have been used as a vessel for hot water.
Painted on the body, imperial dragons ascend and descend in pursuit of flaming pearls hidden among a thick spray of peony and prunus (cherry or plum) blossoms. Around the shoulder is a string of Ruyi heads, named for their resemblance to the head of the curved ruyi scepter carried by certain Buddhist deities. The neck is painted with a pattern of lotus flowers and leaves. The bulbed mouth is painted with hanging tassels beneath a register of repeated plantain leaves. A narrow band on the neck is inscribed with the six character mark of the reign of Wanli (1573-1619).
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