Meiping vase, porcelain painted in underglaze blue with lotus scrolls, China, Yuan dynasty (1279-1368). Height: 26.7 cm. Purchased with the assistance of The Art Fund, the Vallentin Bequest, Sir Percival David and the Universities China Committee. C.66-1935. Victoria & Albert Museum © V&A Images
Vase, of meiping form with high rounded shoulder tapering to the foot, narrow short neck with protruding lip. Porcelain painted in underglaze blue of different tones, from dull blackish to pale blue. On the body, a broad band of lotus scrolls, above and below which is a double border of petal pattern. Round the neck with classic scroll. The base is unglazed.
This meiping vase is decorated in a classic Xuande style, with a lotus scroll undulating around the main body. It is flanked above and below by stylised petal shaped lappets.
The underglaze cobalt blue decoration has misfired, probably due to problems with temperature or air control in the kiln during firing. Instead of turning a deep blue the cobalt has turned greyish black. The tiny decorative scroll around the neck, is the only area of decoration that fired to the desired blue colour.
Despite this obvious flaw it was clearly still consdidered to be an object of value.
Bibliographic References: Hobson, R.L.The George Eumorfopoulos collection; catalogue of the Chinese, Corean and Persian pottery and porcelain. London: E. Benn, 1925-28, Vol. IV, D. 13