Blue-and-white Globular Vase with Interlocking Floral Designs

Named after the ball-like round stomach, globular vase was an invention in the Xuande reign of the Ming dynasty. Most of the cobalt pigment used during that period was imported from West Asia. Black speckles with metallic sheen appear on the resulted blue patterns, which became the major characteristics of the blue-and-white porcelain at the time. However, this globular vase is an exception. The light-blue decoration suggests domestic cobalt pigment.