Blue and White Kundika with Floral Designs on Protruding Lotus Petals

This kundika (Chinese junchi) has a slightly flared mouth, neck with a narrowed center, a round body, and a breast-shaped spout at the shoulder. The piece has a shallow, round foot with an underside covered in glaze. The underside protrudes slightly at the center and has no artisan or production markings. The upper part of the neck and the spout have silver fittings. The body is encircled with two layers of protruding lotus petals with floral designs of plum blossoms, chrysanthemums, peonies, and lotus representing the four seasons in the eight large petals. Near the foot are sixteen smaller lotus petals symbolically supporting the vessel. The spherical spout is also embellished with four protruding lotus petals decorated with floral designs of the four seasons. Covering the surface of the work, the blue ornamentation is densely composed by not chaotic.

Chinese entry by Dong Jianli
Translated and edited by Adam J. Ensign and Kang Xiaolu