Other Ceramics in National Palace Museum, part2

Welcome to the National Palace Museum's collection of ceramics from the Song dynasty! Here you will find a variety of different pieces, from purple-ground boxes with bird-and-flower motifs in fencai enamels to ruby red-glazed vases and green-ground floral-shaped vases with fish-dragon motifs. We also have a Zun in the form of an elephant of peace, porcelain chicken cups in doucai painted enamels, flasks with ruyi handles and figures decoration in underglaze blue, bright yellow cauldrons with animal-mask decorations, celadon water containers, Yue ware, warming bowls with celadon glaze, Ru ware and narcissus basins in bluish-green glaze, Ru ware. Come explore these incredible artifacts today!

1. Purple-ground Box with Bird-and-Flower Motif in Fencai Enamels

The Empress Dowager Cixi was a powerful ruler who lived a luxurious lifestyle. She loved jadeite, and many of the beautiful porcelains with the "Ta-ya Studio" mark were made for her.

2. Zun in the form of an elephant of peace

This object is an elephant with a vase on its back. The elephant is standing straight with its head turned back and eyes partially closed. The decoration on the saddle brocade symbolizes the mountains of longevity in seas of prosperity, chimes of auspiciousness for plenty, and times of peace.

3. Ruby Red-glazed Vase

Lang Tingji was ordered to go to Jingdezhen kilns factory in 1705 to manage the firing of ceramics at the imperial kiln works.

4. Green-ground Floral-shaped Vase with Fish-Dragon Motif

This vase is tall, thick, and curved. It is a beautiful yellowish-green color. It has two handles that look like animal masks. It also has panels with pictures of fish and dragons.

5. Porcelain chicken cup in doucai painted enamels

Ming dynasty collectors prized blue and white porcelain from the Xuande reign above all other ceramics.

6. Flask with ruyi handles and figures decoration in underglaze blue

The form of this flask was inspired by pottery and glassware from Central and Western Asia. It has a small mouth, slender neck, flat round belly, and flat base. On each side of the neck, there is a bow-shaped handle that links the neck and shoulders.

7. Bright Yellow Cauldron with Animal-Mask Decorations

This is an incense burner in the shape of a ting (cauldron). It has two handles and three legs. It is covered with a bright yellow glaze. On either side of the body is an engraved animal mask.

8. Celadon water container, Yue ware

This celadon water container has a sloping opening and a flat bottom. It was unearthed from the graves of members of the royal household of the Wuyue Kingdom. The color of glaze applied to celadon water containers was deeply influenced by the preference of literati and aesthetes.

9. Warming bowl with celadon glaze, Ru ware

This bowl was molded. The curves on its wall follow the contour of the mouthrim. The entire vessel is coated in celadon glaze, displaying a bluish green color. Both its interior and exterior walls are covered with crackles stained brown.

10. Narcissus basin in bluish-green glaze, Ru ware