Basin with Buddhist Lion

CultureChinese

OriginZhangzhou, China

PeriodMing dynasty (1368-1644), Wanli period (1573-1620)

Datelate 16th-early 17th Century

MediumGlazed porcelain, enamels

DimensionsOverall: 8.9 × 39.4 cm (3 1/2 × 15 1/2 in.)

DescriptionCircular, inside a flat bottom with irregular bumps, the slightly bowed side rising at a 75 degree angle to a narrow, more horizontal rim. On the exterior, the glaze is plain, thick and off-white with the horizontal ribs from raising on the wheel visible. Foot ring and recessed bottom.
Overglaze enamel decoration painted on the inside. Round reserve in the centre of the bottom painted in black outlines with a somewhat translucent turquoise enamel. The scene shows a mythical kylin or lion in a garden with low rocky hillocks to the left and foreground sprouting numerous small plants with overhanging boughs and to the right, an ornate fence with a pagoda finial on the end post. The rest of the decoration is painted in orangey iron red, pale green with black outlines for the leaves and touches of a similar turquoise to the birds. Wide border surrounding the central reserve with four floral motifs painted in iron red, black and green. Side painted in similar enamel colours with diamond diaper pattern superimposed by four large red circles with green borders and, above and below, half circles with borders of small rectangular “rays” towards the edge. Between these are four large oblong, lobed reserves, each painted with a different bird perching or flying among flowering branches. The flattened rim is painted in a similar manner with four long boughs with small green leaves and long spikes of rounded red flowers.

Credit LineDonated in memory of Janet Hannon

Object numberG12.16.2

Classifications

Asian Ceramics

Sub-classification

Chinese Porcelain

Collections

Status

Not on view