Brush Washer with Peonies and Chrysanthemums

Water pots for washing brushes were designed to be placed on a Chinese scholar's desk. This brush washer has a shallow foot ring, a spherical body, and a recessed mouth. It is referred to as an 'apple jar' (pingguozun) because of its shape. The vessel is decorated with two peony flowers and two chrysanthemum flowers alternating around the vessel. These flowers are each surrounded by a foliated pattern painted in a copper red underglaze (oxidized to gray). There is a border of lotus flowers and leaf scrolls around the neck between three thin underglaze blue bands. Encircling the foot there is a band of lotus petals also between three thin underglaze blue bands.