Title
A blue and white 'magic fountain' ewer
Year/Period
Ming dynasty, Jiajing period (1522-1566)
Region
China
Object Type
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: 32.0 cm,
Object size: 31.5 x 20.5 x 13.5 cm
Object size: 31.5 x 20.5 x 13.5 cm
Accession No.
2024-00888
Collection of
This ewer was made during the reign of the Jiajing emperor, who was famously obsessed with immortality. Many porcelains from his reign feature designs related to this theme. The “magic fountain” on the body represents longevity and eternal youth. A rabbit on the base may also allude to the Moon Rabbit, who pounds the elixir of immortality for the Chinese goddess Chang’e. The shape is similar to brass pitchers from Persia, and the “magic fountain” motif was also introduced from the west, reflecting cultural and artistic exchange between China and West Asia in the 16th century.
