Moon Flask

blue and white; flattened globular shape supported on a spreading pedestal foot with flat unglazed base containing a central glazed hemispherical recess; narrow neck flares out to a bulbous mouth supported by a pair of strap handles terminating in ruyi heads on the high schoulders; bulb is painted with a cloud collar filled with scrolls and interspersed with three-petalled motifs; flattened sides are each finely painted with a different pictorial scene within a six-point cartouche, the edges filled with floral sprigs within compartments, and encircled by double lines; one scene comprises two women standing on a terrace outside the open door of a house or pavillion, the right edge framed by rockwork and various trees including pine; beyond a balustrade lies an expanse of water in which splashes a large carp, while fingers of land are visible on the horizon; reverse is painted with two women inside a house or pavillion set in a lush garden of trees, shrubs and a large bamboo on which is perched a phoenix; small boy, waiting on the women, stands at top of the flight of stairs; each narrow side of the vessel is further painted with a floral sprig on the raised boss, itself painted with a flower-head