Prunus Vase Carved with Floral Design in White Glaze, Ding Ware (Dingyao baiyou kehua huahui wen meiping)

The vase was carved with floral designs on the body before it was glazed and fired. The fluid designs are differentiated in depth, demonstrating the craftsmen’s consummate carving skills. A prunus vase (mei ping) is characterized by tall proportions, wide shoulders, narrow foot, and the short, contracted neck that can hold just one branch of prunus blossoms. This vase is tall and proud, typifying the prunus vases produced at the Ding kilns in the Song dynasty.