This magnificent moon flask marks a poignant moment in the development of Chinese porcelain. The Yongle Emperor (r. 1403-24) had a far-sighted international outlook and rang in a cosmopolitan period. He initiated and encouraged contacts to many countries of Asia and as far west as East Africa. Diplomatic missions thus exchanged not only objects and materials, but also ideas and aesthetic concepts. This contact with and interest in other cultures left an indelible mark on China’s crafts, and ceramics as one of the most adaptable media handled by the imperial workshops were directly influenced.

In terms of its shape as well as its design, the present porcelain flask can be considered a result of this outward-looking policy of the Yongle Emperor. Made at the Jingdezhen imperial kilns, it represents the outstanding, high qualitative standard demanded at the time by the court: porcelain and glaze are extremely fine and even, the striking shape is well-proportioned and exactingly fired, the cobalt painting shows a strong blue, the brushwork is sophisticated, and the complex design harmoniously laid out.

此永樂扁壺來自收藏界無人不曉的「天民樓」收藏，曾於1987年至2017年之間經十多次出版及展覽，包括耿寶昌先生著作《明清瓷器鑒定》一書，在將近四十年後重現蘇富比亞洲五十週年秋季拍賣，必將引起中國藝術品收藏界強烈的關注。青花扁壺，見證中國瓷器發展史之重要時刻。身處國際頻繁交流之時代，永樂皇帝對於國際發展素有遠見，開啟並致力與亞洲多國之互動，最遠西至東非，賜予中國藝術品，亦得各國回禮。如此交流不僅止於禮物、物產，亦觸發思想與審美之相互影響。遂而引起的文化激盪，在中國藝術品留下不可磨滅的痕跡，其中最直接受到影響的，就是由朝廷主導的御窰瓷器。

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A Magnificent Yongle Blue and White Moon Flask

A Magnificent Yongle Blue and White Moon Flask

A Magnificent Yongle Blue and White Moon Flask