Flask, Yongle period, 1400-1430, Ming dynasty. Blue and white porcelain. Glazed and decorated porcelain and cobalt. Height: 13 in, Diameter: 8.5 in. 554-1878 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London 2017.  

The main body of the flask is of flattened circular form, the neck is narrow at the shoulder and widens at the top. Two slender handles adjoin the neck and the shoulder. Decorated in underglaze blue with a stylised lotus design, simple banded decoration and floral scrolls.

Historical significance: The shape of this flask is based on a leather form traditionally used by the nomadic people of the North west regions of China. It is often referred to in Chinese as a 'Bianhu' and is also widely known as a pilgrim flask. 

Similar pieces are known to exist in the Percival David Foundation collection, the Sedgwick collection and the Topkapi Sarray, Istanbul - also dating to the Yongle period.