VERSEUSE EN PORCELAINE BLEU BLANC

Inspiration for this unusual shape and design was derived from early 15th century examples when a number of Islamic-influenced shapes and designs were produced in the ceramic form for the Yongle Emperor. The decorative subjects combine the Chinese traditional flowers and the Islamic forms inspired by the Middle-Eastern metalwork
A Yongle example of this type ewer, from the Avery Brundage collection, is now preserved in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, acc. no. B60P85. Another Yongle ewer of similar shape is in the collection of the British Museum (1963,1219.1). See an almost identical18th century blue and white ewer sold at Sotheby's London, 15 April 1980, lot 289.