Vessel in the shape of a waterfowl (fuzun)
The bird form of this vessel is almost identical to an ancient one illustrated in the twelfth-century antiquarian catalogue Xuanhe bogutu. Neither the woodblock illustration nor the accompanying text, however, provides any indication that the archaic prototype had any inlay. The vessel’s sumptuous surface decoration would have been favored in the Ming dynasty.
This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.
