New photography by Shannon Ruff captured with a digital camera-2006.

Broad-Shouldered Bottle with Decoration of Dragons Pursuing Flaming Pearls

Artist Unknown

Date1573-1619

MediumPorcelain with decoration painted in underglaze cobalt blue

DimensionsOverall: 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm)
Overall, Rim: 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm)
Base: 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm)

ClassificationsAsian art

Credit LineGift of Dr. James C. Perry in Memory of Nancy Nash Perry

Object number36.8.170

Terms

Buff
Blue
White
Grey
China

On View

Not on view

DescriptionBulbous bottle has wide shoulders tapering to somewhat narrower foot. Low irregular foot rim; body buff with iron impurities evident at juncture of body and glaze on foot rim. Underglaze blue and white, blue of a deep grey-blue tone, white tinged bluish. Bottom white, pitted. Truncated cone neck unglazed, stained; band of white glaze inside neck. Design consists of wide shoulder bands of peonies and scrollwork, body contains two magnificent writhing dragons amid cloud patterns and two large flaming pearls. Much of glaze surface exhibits "orange skin" texture.