About this work
This vase, with its Chinese-sourced cobalt underglaze blue-and-white decoration, is a classic early Ming form known as a meiping, or plum vase. A tendency towards conservatism in the Chinese ceramic industries frequently saw earlier styles reproduced in later reigns. Financial difficulties led the Hongzhi emperor to order the cessation of official porcelain production at the imperial kilns in Jingdezhen. This vase is a rare example of the sporadic production from this reign. The figure of a robed scholar with attendant in a cloud-wrapped landscape encircling the body of the vase is a composition which found great favour among Western copyists.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, south-east China, China
Accession Number
2600-D3
Department
Asian Art
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Gordon Darling Foundation
Physical description
Bulbous body narrowing to foot, short neck; scholars and attendant under pine outside dwelling, with scrolling cloud; shoulder band of cloud collars with scrolling foliage and hanging jewels and upper band of 'good luck' rui symbols; scroll clouds on neck; fot band of lotus panels.