EWER, celadon with inlaid design of boys and baoxianghua scroll 青磁象嵌 童子宝相華唐草文 水注せいじぞうがん どうじほうそうげからくさもん すいちゅう

Description

The body of this ewer is covered with a scene of boys climbing vines amid large baoxianghua flowers. The motif of boys playing among vines are often found in Chinese ceramics of the Song dynasty and this work was probably inspired by those works. This motif, symbolizing the wish for prosperity of descendants, pleasantly harmonizes with the smooth, globular form. Diverse decorative techniques are observed in this piece. The reverse inlay technique, in which the motifs were outlined in black inlay while the background was inlaid with white slip, makes the rarely large baoxianghua flower motifs stand out even clearer. The joint sections of the handle and spout to the body are embellished with lotus leaves and buds, to which decorations were added in trailed white slip and iron paint. Such various elements make this ewer a masterpiece among the celadon of this type.