Dynasty Blue-and-White Meiping with Peacock and Peony

拍品描述

Dimensions: 34 cm (approx. 13.39 inches); Yuan Dynasty, 13th-14th century. Condition and Provenance: Well-preserved, with a small mouth, short neck, broad shoulders, tapering body, and intact foot. Peacock and peony motifs, shoulder decorations, and lotus petal patterns at the bottom are clearly visible. The cobalt blue glaze transitions naturally from a soft grayish-blue to a saturated indigo, with darker iron-rich spots and firing diffusion marks visible in areas with heavier pigment. The glaze is a soft bluish-white, with slight wear, light stains, and signs of long-term handling and display. The unglazed sandy base shows traces of trimming, old soil deposits, stains, and natural wear. This vase comes from a private collection in New York, USA, and was formerly owned by an overseas family. This Yuan Dynasty blue and white plum vase is 34 cm high, featuring a classic shoulder shape and decorated with one of the most elegant floral and bird themes in Chinese decorative art. The mouth is small and curled, the neck is short, the shoulders are full, and the body gradually narrows downwards. The bottle's silhouette is compact and powerful, with broad shoulders bearing most of the visual weight, while the gradually narrowing lower body lends it a simple and upright rhythm. The decorative patterns are clearly layered. A band of pendant ruyi patterns adorns the shoulder, outlined in cobalt blue and decorated with floral, cloud, or gemstone motifs. These patterns follow the curve of the shoulder, forming a structured framework above the more free-flowing composition below. The main decorative motif on the bottle is a peacock standing amidst blooming peonies, branches, and artificial mountains. The peacock has a long, upright neck, a narrow head, a sharp beak, and a full, rounded body with finely repeating feather textures. The feathers are outlined by layers of cobalt blue arcs, giving the body a rich texture. Long tail feathers cascade naturally like a waterfall, and striking eye spots are clearly visible, surrounded by dense feathers. The peacock's legs are long and slender, and its relaxed posture lends the scene a tranquil and elegant quality. The peacock is surrounded by blooming peonies, lush branches, and sharply defined rocks. The peony petals are layered and interwoven, with a darker center; the leaves are rendered in a rich cobalt blue with intricate lines to depict their textures. The rocks in the lower right corner add visual weight, making the peacock appear as if it were in a garden. The artist left large areas of light-colored glaze around the main figures, maintaining a sense of openness and highlighting the peacock's central role. The imagery of the peacock and peony carries rich symbolic meaning in Chinese art. The peacock, renowned for its magnificent plumage, symbolizes nobility, beauty, refinement, and good fortune. The peony has always been associated with wealth, honor, prosperity, and a good life. Together, they create an elegant and abundant scene, imbuing the decorative pattern with rich visual appeal and profound symbolic meaning. The lower half of the figure is composed of a series of continuous upright lotus petal patterns. Each petal is outlined in blue and adorned with small clouds, gemstones, or floral motifs. This repetitive pattern creates a stable visual foundation for the composition, balancing the fluid movement of the birds and plants above. The use of cobalt blue is vivid and varied. Some areas present a soft grayish-blue, while others exhibit a rich indigo due to the thicker application of the pigment. In some darker areas, especially where the feathers are dense, the stamens are prominent, and the outlines are bolder, natural iron-rich spots and the smudging effect produced during firing are visible. These tonal variations add depth to the composition and give the decoration a distinct handcrafted texture. The glaze is a soft bluish-white with a warm, smooth texture. Against this light-colored glaze, the dark peacock's body and peony leaf patterns are clearly visible. From a distance, the eye is immediately drawn to the peacock's silhouette and the abundant blossoms. Upon closer inspection, the scale patterns, the eye spots on the tail, the veins of the leaves, the petal patterns, and the subtle variations in the cobalt blue concentration become even more captivating. This piece is designed to be appreciated from every angle. As the vessel rotates, the peacock, tail feathers, floral branches, and surrounding scenery extend along the curved body, creating a panoramic view rather than a traditional frontal composition. A large area of the base is exposed, revealing the thick, light beige to gray porcelain body. Marks of trimming and finishing are clearly visible, along with traces of old stains, soil deposits, deep contact marks, and long-term wear. The rough base contrasts sharply with the smooth glaze, emphasizing the vessel's substantial form. From an American collector's perspective, this piece is highly valuable. At approximately 33 cm tall, its moderate size allows for independent display in a cabinet, niche, entryway, or on a stand, while also facilitating exhibition. The peacock motif lends the vase a more narrative quality than purely floral designs, while the peony adds a rich sense of luxury and traditional auspicious symbolism. The classic plum vase shape, vivid floral and bird motifs, deep cobalt blue glaze, and highly recognizable underglaze blue color scheme make this a focal point in Chinese ceramics collecting.

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