Chenghua Period (15th Century, Ming Dynasty) Doucai Stem Cup with Interlocking Lotus Scrolls and Sanskrit Inscriptions

拍品描述

Dimensions: Height 5.5 cm (approx. 2.2 in, approx. 0.18 ft); Diameter 7 cm (approx. 2.8 in, approx. 0.23 ft)Condition and Provenance: The piece remains in good condition with a warm glaze surface and natural signs of age consistent with its history. Provenance: Private Collection, New York, USA.Description: This elegant stem cup features a flared rim, a gently tapering body, and a finely proportioned foot, creating a refined and graceful silhouette. The exterior is exquisitely decorated in the doucai technique with continuous lotus scrolls, combining delicate cobalt-blue outlines with vibrant overglaze enamels in red, yellow, and green. Between the floral patterns are Sanskrit characters painted in blue, representing Buddhist mantras associated with blessings, protection, and auspicious wishes. The thin and refined porcelain body is covered with a smooth, luminous white glaze, while the interior remains undecorated. A ruyi cloud motif encircles the lower section, adding further decorative depth. The base bears a six-character underglaze blue mark reading “Da Ming Chenghua Nian Zhi” within a double square. Doucai vessels featuring Sanskrit inscriptions were closely associated with imperial Buddhist practices and required highly sophisticated craftsmanship. Combining exceptional porcelain artistry with religious symbolism, this rare example represents an important category of Ming dynasty imperial ceramics.

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