Stemmed jar with floral scrolls, Ming dynasty (1368-1644), Xuande six-character mark in a line and of the period (1426-1435), China, Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province. Porcelain with underglaze cobalt decoration, qinghua ware. H. 4 1/8 in x Diam. 3 5/8 in, H. 10.5 cm x Diam. 9.3 cm. The Avery Brundage Collection, B60P1512. © 2016 Asian Art Museum Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art and Culture

Transformed from the classical dou form of both pottery and bronze, the round-bodied vessel was here matched with a semi-spherical lid and a widely flaring pedestal. Almost all known specimens are identical in shape and decoration (Shoudu Mus. 1991: pl. 96; Shanghai Mus. 1987: pl. 68). The five-petal flower scrolls, in particular, served to decorate this type of jar; otherwise they were combined with a larger variety of flowers. It is assumed that the shape was used for palace or temple altars, as it is associated with ceremonial or ritual events. The grayish color of the blue on this piece is an indication of Chinese cobalt.