The exterior motif shows ten lotus blooms with tri-foil
leaves connected by a continuous scrolling vine. A half diamond trellis-diaper
border circles the outer lip.
The interior motif has a full diamond trellis-diaper
border with seven lotus blooms with traditional tri-foil leaves on a continuous
scrolling vine. Within a double ring, the center decoration is a lotus pond.
The scene shows two lotus blooms flanked on both sides with two stylistic
male and female ducks. This center motif design is common to late
14th century Yuan and early Ming Hongwu. There is a hair-line crack
visible to the lip. Age cracks to the glaze are visible in many areas.
The crack to the base is an age crack, not a firing
crack. Several small areas of iron oxide discoloration show where the glaze
was either thin, or void all together. Wear and discoloration visible from
much use.
Though the motif and especially the diamond trellis-diaper
border are common to late 14th century, this overall design is classic
Xuande in all respects. Though unmarked, it is most probably from the
period. |