water-sprinkler
- Museum number
- 1947,0712.165
- Description
-
Porcelain water sprinkler with underglaze blue decoration. This water sprinkler has a long narrow tapering neck, a squat eight-lobed body and a straight foot. It is painted in bright blue tones beneath a yellowish glaze. Painted around the body are three lotus flowers on a continuous scroll, with three inverted plantain leaves around the neck and a scrolling band around the mouth. The base is unglazed.
- Production date
- 1436-1456
- Dimensions
-
Height: 17.50 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- Harrison-Hall 2001:
In contrast to the pure-white-bodied porcelains with fine underglaze blue decoration fired for the court during the preceding Xuande era, this coarser water sprinkler was made at a 'min yao' [commercial kiln] in the Jingdezhen area for a less exalted clientele. Iron impurities in the glaze, dark cobalt blue and less refined clay are characteristic of private-kiln-fired porcelains.
Initially derived from an Indian metal-work shape, this water sprinkler would have contained pure scented water which was used by a Buddhist priest to libate on to the ground, creating a sacred space for the Buddha. Rituals still exist today in which a priest sprinkles water in a circle and the inside space is believed to be the heavenly realm of Mount Meru where a Buddha exists.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1947
- Department
- Asia
- Registration number
- 1947,0712.165
