Ewer with floral design, Ming dynasty, Hongwu period (1368-1398). Porcelain painted in copper red, Jingdezhen kilns, south China. Height: 36.9 cm. Purchased with the assistance of The Art Fund, the Vallentin Bequest, Sir Percival David and the Universities China Committee, C.857-1936 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London 2017.

This ewer for wine is painted with a floral design using copper as a colourant. It has not fired successfully and in some places the colour has turned grey rather than the intended red.