BLUE AND WHITE FLASK
Pottery was invented by the Chinese as early as 5000 BC. However, porcelain was not successfully made until the 10th century. It was even later in the 13th century that blue and white porcelain wares first appeared. The pigment for blue and white porcelain is cobalt oxide. It is an under-glaze, and it is embellished by the use of light and heavy blue lines and by washing the color to lighter shades to contrast the white porcelain. This treatment gives the designs both grace and beauty. Blue and white porcelain comes in many styles, and the designs used include the Indian lotus, human characters, flowers, fruit, dragons, phoenixes, birds, animals and other patterns. The various emperors of Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties loved the blue and white porcelain wares, and exquisite items ere made by the official kilns for the emperors and their family members, and as gifts awarded to the nobility and the accredited government officials. Blue and white porcelain wares were also very popular in Europe. From 17the century, European merchants and the Dutch East India Company ordered from China blue and white porcelain wares which conformed with the Western culture and styles. These porcelain wares were sold in Europe and America for high profits. Nowadays, these antique blue and white porcelain wares made in Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties are auctioned at very high prices. The Original Blue and White Moon Flask (10-1/8" high), Yongle, Ming Dynasty was auctioned at Sotheby's, Hong Kong, in November 1986 for HK $7,150,000. The item on display here is a replica made of real porcelain, hand potted and hand decorated. The raw body and the color glaze were fired at the temperature of approximately 1,300 degrees C. | |
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