Stoneware flower pot with purple glaze, Jun ware, China, 14th century. 'San' incised on the base Three. Height: 27 cm. C.35-1935. Purchased with the assistance of The Art Fund, the Vallentin Bequest, Sir Percival David and the Universities China Committee. © V&A Images.

Stoneware hexagonal flower pot with lobed sides and flat projecting rim with upturned edge, covered by a lavender-purple glaze; the base, painted with a brown glaze, has five drainage holes and the numeral 'san' [three] incised under the glaze. 

The term 'jun ware' refers to a type of stoneware covered by a distinct glossy and thick glaze ranging in tone from blue to purple. Objects of this type, generally heavily potted, were produced in Henan province in northern China from the Northern Song dynasty (960-1115) to around 1400s.

This vase was used as a flowerpot and placed on a table or desk in the house. A numeral 'three', in Chinese san, is inscribed on its base; this refers to the size of the vessel. Jun ware objects have numerals ranging from one, for the largest examples, to ten for the smallest.

Bibliographic References: Kerr. Rose. The T.T.Tsui Gallery of Chinese Art. Chinese Art and Design. London: Victoria and Albert Museum. 1991, pl. 127 ISBN 851770178 
Ayers, John. Far Eastern ceramics in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: Sotheby Parke Bernet, 1980, pl. 104 (monochrome plates) ISBN 0856670766