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- 4 Small Circular Box
Ming dynasty; ca. 1500
d. 4.8 cm; Brian S. McElney Collection
The lid of this small box is decorated with
one lotus flower surrounded by curling
stems and leaves. The sides of the box have
a floral pattern. The bottom is undeco-
rated except for the engraved characters
Jingtai nian zhi (made in the reign of
Jingtai). The box has been used as a con-
tainer for red seal ink.
5 Double Gourd Bottle
Ming dynasty; 16th century
h. 5.4 cm; The Reid Collection
This bottle, which is in the shape of a
double-gourd, is decorated with various
flower blossoms and miniature double-
gourd motifs hanging from branches. As a
fruit, the gourd is an emblem both of long
life and fertility. The enamel on this bottle
is heavily pitted, and the handwrought
wires are thick and uneven.
6 Small Circular Box
Ming dynasty; late 16th century
d. 4 cm; The Reid Collection
The simple design on the lid of the box is
of a red flower sprouting from an eroded
rock against a turquoise blue ground. There
are five-petalled flowers and comma-shaped
leaves on the sides.
7 Large Dish
Ming dynasty; late 16th century
d. 43.8 cm; Given anonymously in
Memory of Sir James Howard Thornton
AGGV 77.168
In the central scene of this plate is the
popular Chinese motif of a dragon and a
phoenix contending over a flaming pearl
amidst clouds. The dragon and phoenix
frequently appear together as emblems of
the Emperor and Empress, and often repre-
sent male and female or the happy balance
of yin and yang. Lotus scrolls of various
colours fill the well, and double layered
five-petalled flowers ornament the rim. The
underside is richly decorated with lotus
scrolls.
10 Four-Sided Vase
Ming dynasty; early 16th century
h. 12.7 cm; The Reid Collection
The shape of this vase is derived from the
ancient ritual jade squared cylinder called
the cong, the symbol of Earth. The rec-
tangular side panels are decorated with
lotus flowers and gently curling stems and
leaves. On the bottom of the slightly flared
foot is the engraved mark, Jingtai nian zhi.
The colours include: red, cobalt blue, dark
green, purple, and yellow on a turquoise-
blue ground.
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