Lotus-Petal Vase

The chrysanthemum (juban) or lotus (heban) vase shape receives its name from the petals impressed around the base. Its tall body with high shoulders slopes down to a narrow foot and rises to form a slender straight neck and widely flared mouth. This flower vase is covered uniformly with a rich peach bloom glaze, a pink blush dappled with apple red. This spotting was achieved by blowing a copper-oxide glaze on to the vase and covering that with a clear glaze; when fired, the inconsistent spray of copper would create various shades of red or oxidize green. The effects of this copper glaze resemble the skin of a peach (the French peau de pêche) or apple, the reds and greens often referred to as "apple red" (pingguo hong) or "apple green" (pingguo jung).