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CHINA FOR THE EXPORT MARKET, QING DYNASTY (1644-1912), PROBABLY 19TH CENTURY The crescent shaped body decorated with cobalt-blue scrolling floral vine and lotus flowers, the straight neck decorated with a geometric lattice, on four short, lobed feet, drill hole to base 7 7/8in. (19.8cm.) long; 6in. (15cm.) high
The present pilgrim flask is a continuation of the tradition of blue and white porcelain flasks being made since the early 15th century in China for the Islamic market. A 15th century blue and white Ming dynasty flask of closely comparable form and similar lotus scroll decoration to the upper body sold at Sotheby’s London, 5 October 2011, lot 349. These flasks were possibly made as diplomatic gifts. For a note on diplomatic exchanges between the Chinese and the Iranian courts in the 15th century, see lot 29 in the present sale. Islamic glass and metalwork forms began to influence the forms and patterns used by Chinese potters. The form of this flask is thought to have been inspired by leather flask prototypes, the raised borders imitating the seams of the leather flasks, and the crescent shape is possibly a reference to the Islamic symbol of the crescent moon. The form is also related to the metal kashkul (beggar’s bowl) with a curved, boat shape. For an example, see a Timurid tinned-copper kashkul from the 15th century, which sold in these Rooms, 6 October 2011, lot 115.