Flask
1400-1430 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The shape of this flask is based on a leather drinking flask traditionally used by the nomadic people of the North west regions of China. It is often referred to in Chinese as a 'Bianhu' and is also widely known as a pilgrim flask. This kind of flask is typically of flattened ovoid or circular form. This one is decorated in underglaze blue with a stylised lotus design, simple banded lines and floral scrolls. It dates to the reign of the Yongle emperor (1402-1424) of the Ming dynasty (1366-1644).
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Glazed and decorated porcelain and cobalt |
| Brief description | Porcelain flask decorated in underglaze blue with dragon design, China, Ming dynasty, ca. 1400-1430 |
| Physical description | The main body of the flask is of flattened circular form, the neck is narrow at the shoulder and widens at the top. Two slender handles adjoin the neck and the shoulder. Decorated in underglaze blue with a stylised lotus design, simple banded decoration and floral scrolls. |
| Dimensions |
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| Styles | |
| Production type | Mass produced |
| Gallery label | Flask, 1400-1430, Ming dynasty. Blue and white porcelain.(01/12/2008) |
| Object history | Purchased from a source not recorded in the Asia Department registers, accessioned in 1878. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. Historical significance: The shape of this flask is based on a leather form traditionally used by the nomadic people of the North west regions of China. It is often referred to in Chinese as a 'Bianhu' and is also widely known as a pilgrim flask. |
| Historical context | Similar pieces are known to exist in the Percival David Foundation collection, the Sedgwick collection and the Topkapi Sarray, Istanbul - also dating to the Yongle period. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The shape of this flask is based on a leather drinking flask traditionally used by the nomadic people of the North west regions of China. It is often referred to in Chinese as a 'Bianhu' and is also widely known as a pilgrim flask. This kind of flask is typically of flattened ovoid or circular form. This one is decorated in underglaze blue with a stylised lotus design, simple banded lines and floral scrolls. It dates to the reign of the Yongle emperor (1402-1424) of the Ming dynasty (1366-1644). |
| Bibliographic reference | Ayers, John. 'Far Eastern Ceramics in the Victoria and Albert Museum' Monochrome plate No. 145. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 554-1878 |
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| Record created | December 1, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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