This blue-and white porcelain bottle has a complicated heritage. The shape of this bottle derives from west Asia; the cloud designs are found on clothing both in China and the Islamic word; the scrolling peonies are from long-standing Chinese traditions whilst the stylised lotus petals at the base allude to imagery in Indo-Himalayan art.
Original size: 44.5cms
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New york, USA. 26.271.1a, b