Blue and white stem cup, Yuan dynasty

Blue-and-white ceramic with a tall, conical foot that holds a semi-circular vessel with a flared rim. Around it is a decorative band, enclosed by a double ring, of spiralling chrysanthemums. In the centre, the same decoration is executed as a medallion. And under the inner rim, there is a frieze of arabesques. It has a smooth crack.

Bowls raised on a high foot were a form of pottery popular with the Mongols during the Yuan dynasty. They were usually decorated in blue on white. The brushstrokes for the designs tend to have a free and bold character, as in the present example.

Height: 10.50 cm; Diameter of mouth: 12 cm 

Provenance: Private European collection.