A Chenghua Period Blue and White with Underglaze Red Lotus Scroll and Sanskrit Design “Jixin” Cup with “Da Ming Chenghua Nian Zhi” Mark, Ming Dynasty, Chenghua Period (15th Century)

拍品描述

Dimensions:Height: 6 cm (2.36 in); Diameter: 8.2 cm (3.23 in); 15th CenturyCondition and Provenance: The cup remains in good overall condition with a smooth, warm glaze surface. Natural aged brownish patina and traces of time are visible across the surface, consistent with its age. Condition is based on physical inspection. Provenance: Private Collection, New York, USA.Description: This elegant jixin-shaped cup features a flared rim, gently curved deep walls, a narrowed lower body, and a refined circular foot, representing a classic Ming dynasty tea cup form. The interior is left undecorated with a luminous white glaze, creating a clean and graceful appearance. The exterior is carefully decorated in layered sections, including blue double-line bands along the rim, a continuous scrolling lotus and vine pattern rendered in rich cobalt blue, and lotus blossoms containing Sanskrit characters painted in underglaze red. The combination of deep blue and warm red creates a striking contrast and demonstrates the technical difficulty of combining underglaze blue and underglaze red decoration. The lower section is decorated with a ruyi cloud motif above the foot, balanced by additional blue lines, creating a harmonious decorative composition. The finely finished foot bears a six-character blue and white square mark reading “Da Ming Chenghua Nian Zhi.” The warm white porcelain body is complemented by natural brownish aged marks, adding historical character to the piece. The lotus scroll with Sanskrit imagery reflects the blending of traditional Chinese decorative arts with Buddhist symbolism, expressing wishes for blessings and peace. The rare combination of Chenghua-period style, blue and white painting, and underglaze red technique makes this cup a highly desirable example of Ming imperial porcelain.

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