Blue-and-white Zun Vessel with Polychrome Designs of Pheasant and Peony

In Chinese ceramics, “Five colors” means “polychrome” and refers to porcelain with multicolored glazes always including red. Polychromed ceramics are generally divided into two major groups: over-glaze and blue-and-white. The body of the zun is entirely decorated in blue-and-white and polychrome with images of mountains and rocks, flowers, pheasants, chickens, peonies, and other designs. The form of this thick-walled vessel is simple and and its colors varied. The décor is characteristic of traditional Chinese bird-and-flower painting.