Meiping Vase

Vessels of this shape are known as meiping, which literally means “plum bottle.” Perhaps based on the name of the vessel, scholars originally believed they were used to hold flowers. Further research, however, provide that meiping instead were used as vessels for holding wine and other libations. The underglaze painting on this meiping shows variations in hue ranging from light to dark blue. Pendant petals and stiff plantain leaves form stylized decorative bands encircling the shoulder and foot, respectively. Fruiting branches of lychee, peach, loquat, crabapple, pomegranate, and cherry are painted on the central section of the vessel, which is framed by double lines.