Rare 康熙 Kangxi Pomegranate Form Water Pot
|
Water pots were designed as ornamental and functional forms
for the scholar's desk. They contained water for use in making ink or
replenishing the brushwasher. According to Bushell, the Chinese refer to
this form as shiliu zun or pomegranate form, though it lacks the foliated
rim usually found on pots described as pomegranate shaped. This small
globular vessel has a high, rounded shoulder that descends into a sunken channel
that encircles the short neck used to hold a small amount of water to thin the
ink whenever necessary. The neck terminates in a slightly thickened
lip. The whole is covered in a pale blue glaze, tian lan
you (sky
clearing after the rain), also known as clair de lune,
thinning in areas appearing somewhat mushroom in tone. On the base covered
with a clear glaze is the six character kaishu mark of 康熙
Kangxi in
underglaze blue and of the period. Four water pots of similar glaze
tonality and three with identical dimensions can be found in the National
Gallery of Art, Washington. |
