Melon-shaped Underglaze-red Jar with Designs of Flowers of the Four Seasons

In Chinese ceramic terminology, this type of red porcelain ware is referred to as “underglaze red” (youli hong) because the red color, rich in copper oxide, was painted beneath the transparent glaze layer. In contrast with the white background, the red color is extremely bright and therefore was thought to create a very auspicious atmosphere. The melon veins starts from the very bottom to the mouth rim of the jar. Around the stomach of the jar are painted twelve sets of flowers of four seasons with lake rocks. Tall and large, the jar is densely decorated with varied floral motifs in clear arrangement. It reflects the free and unconstraint style in artistic representation during the transitional period from late Yuan (1271-1368) to early Ming dynasty.