Celadon Vase with Peony Design |
Height 19.8 cm, mouth diameter 13.3 cm; China, Ming dynasty, 16th century; Gift of the Ii Family |
This type of Longquan ware, believed to be a product of one of the imperial kilns in central China, is characterized by the light color and coarse crackling of the glaze. The body and neck are adorned with peony designs, while the base has a sawtooth pattern incised into the grayish-brown clay before the celadon glaze was applied. In Japan, pieces such as this were displayed in rooms for receiving guests and, arranged with flowers, appreciated at tea gatherings.