Double gourd vase with peony spray

The diamond band on this piece's mouth and the meandering frieze around its foot were also observed on works excavated from the Ming dynasty longquan stratum at the Dayao site (Zhejiang Light Industry 1989: 59, fig. 6; 62, fig. 1). The placement of the main motif between friezes became common among Ming wares as can be seen in most imperial wares. Here peony sprays are enclosed by six bands bordering the mouth, waist, and lower portion of the vase. The precise carving and neat arrangement were a post-Yuan trait. This high-quality vase was possibly made for the court since the imperial order to produce ceramics for the palace came to Raozhou (Jingdezhen) and Chuzhou under which the longquan kilns were administered in 1393 (GG Yuankan 1994.1: 36).