A Fine, Outstanding And Rare Blue And White Moon Flask, Bianhu, Ming Dynasty, Yongle Period (1403 - 1425)

Modelled after a Middle Eastern metal prototype, elegantly potted with a flattened spherical body, rising to a garlic neck flanked by a pair of loop handles with ruyi-shaped terminals on the shoulders, all supported on a spreading foot of circular form, the front and back domed faces intricately painted in deep cobalt-blue tones with geometric panels, the centre with a lotus bloom wreathed by foliate stems within a star-shaped panel, surrounded by six indented eight-sided panels enclosing floral sprays with serrated leaves, all encircled by six hexagonal panels of stylised flower heads alternating with similar elongated panels of interlaced lozenges, the outer border with shaped panels enclosing crashing waves forming the corners of a large hexagon, interspersed with pairs of narrow panels of flower scrolls, all divided by double line borders, the narrow sides of the flask decorated with a composite floral scroll interrupted by flower heads on the raised bosses, the neck collared by a band of stylised floral sprigs, below a garlic-form mouth painted with ruyi-shaped lappets enclosing stylised floral sprays, the foot skirted with pendent trefoil spearheads above a band of small florets, the unglazed base with a deep glazed recess in the centre.

29.5 cm, High.