Water Pot, Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). Glazed porcelain with relief decoration (Qingbai ware), 7 x 6.4 cm. Philadelphia Museum of Art, Gift of the Honorable and Mrs. Hugh Scott, 1977-17-6.

A stylized dragon forms the handle of this diminutive ewer that was probably used for pouring water onto an inkstone while grinding a stick of ink. The short, cylindrical spout would have allowed greater control of water flow to achieve the right consistency of ink.