Porcelain flask of double gourd form with flattened lower section, strap handles rising from the shoulder, and a rectangular foot. The flask has stylised flower and yin yang symbol in underglaze blue in the centre on one side of lower bulb, a chevron pattern in underglaze blue on the other side, chrysanthemum sprays in underglaze blue on the upper bulb and the base of each strap handle. The base is glazed.

This gourd-shaped flask has an underglaze blue Xuande reign mark. Potters decorated the round bodyof the flask with stylised flowers which resemble patterns made by kaleidoscopes. The blue of the Xuande flask is typically much paler than that of the Yongle flask (PDF 674). Syrian craftsmen made metal flasks in this shape in the fourteenth century. The Xuande emperor’s interest in foreign metalwork forms reflects the cordial diplomatic and economic relations between China and countries in the Middle East such as Syria during his reign.